I've been having problems with some of my HD shows mostly on CBS (recorded to DVR) where the main sound channel (dialogue) is lost and only the surround sound works. Then all of a sudden the channel switches to SD and the sounds returns. On some of the shows, the picture will remain in SD and others it will be corrected and shown again in HD.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Is anyone else having this problem?Nope. What shows? What dates? I still have a bunch I haven't watched on my TiVo...

Criminal Minds 10/22 and CSI 10/16 & 10/23 are a few of the shows that this happened on.

I've been having problems with some of my HD shows mostly on CBS (recorded to DVR) where the main sound channel (dialogue) is lost and only the surround sound works. Then all of a sudden the channel switches to SD and the sounds returns. On some of the shows, the picture will remain in SD and others it will be corrected and shown again in HD.

Is anyone else having this problem?
We had the same problem on some of the MLB playoff games -- all the crowd noise, none of the play-by-play drivel. Refreshing, in a way, but annoying all the same. Fixed it by switching to Spanish audio on the STB -- go figure.

Anyhow, just one of many annoying experiences with Comcast in recent weeks -- drop outs on both video and audio, some channels not appearing at all, deteriorating speed on our internet connection.

I've been on the system since they first rolled out cable modems to beta testers (highway1, anyone?), and have a great email address on comcast, but now ready to to defect to FIOS. I've had enough.

Criminal Minds 10/22 and CSI 10/16 & 10/23 are a few of the shows that this happened on.Fine for me.

I don't watch CSI, but Criminal Minds was okay for me.

We had the same problem on some of the MLB playoff games -- all the crowd noise, none of the play-by-play drivel. Refreshing, in a way, but annoying all the same. Fixed it by switching to Spanish audio on the STB -- go figure.

Anyhow, just one of many annoying experiences with Comcast in recent weeks -- drop outs on both video and audio, some channels not appearing at all, deteriorating speed on our internet connection.

I've been on the system since they first rolled out cable modems to beta testers (highway1, anyone?), and have a great email address on comcast, but now ready to to defect to FIOS. I've had enough.

Have you called to ask if there were issues? Asked for or received a service call to see if there are problems in the home or with your box? Before you go jumping on the bashing Comcast wagon, perhaps you should make some calls. I watch a LOT of TV... I have 3 DVRs in fact to record all of the stuff that I watch, my wife watches, and my kids watch (kids get their own DVR so I don't have to worry about them deleting my shows). I haven't had any issues except on the Pats game today on Fox, but that was a FOX problem since I have a friend with HD OTA and had the same problem.

Have you called to ask if there were issues? Asked for or received a service call to see if there are problems in the home or with your box? Before you go jumping on the bashing Comcast wagon, perhaps you should make some calls. I watch a LOT of TV... I have 3 DVRs in fact to record all of the stuff that I watch, my wife watches, and my kids watch (kids get their own DVR so I don't have to worry about them deleting my shows). I haven't had any issues except on the Pats game today on Fox, but that was a FOX problem since I have a friend with HD OTA and had the same problem.
Thanks, Scoops. We've just been very aggravated with a series of glitches lately -- while our friends rave about the FIOS connection!

I appreciate your suggestion and will act on it.

Well my Comcast service has been down for the past hour. Comcast really sucks as of late. Many issues with my service (they kept telling me it was in-house wiring, but it turned out to be water in my buried exterior cable). After about 6 months of going back and forth they finally ran a temporary line which fixed the problem. Of course they just buried the cable last week after 3 months of it lying on the ground. They did a fine job ripping up my lawn which is an exposed trail of dirt now. :(

Now I hear they're jacking my bill up 3%. While customer support is pretty good, Comcast absolutely blows. I really wish FIOS was available in Lowell. Someday soon, I hope. But until that day comes, I think I'm going to go with Dish. I hear they finally have NESN in HD. That's all I need to hear.

806 is WFXTDT here. 808 is WLVIDT. And 814 is WSBK HD. I believe those are all correct.Looks like Comcast has stopped sending out the channels on the old numbers...My TiVo still has the listings for both the old and new channels, but the old channels are all blank...

Hmm... that could be a problem for me because I believe my recordings were still scheduled for the old channels...

Hmm... that could be a problem for me because I believe my recordings were still scheduled for the old channels...

My experience was about 50% hit and miss for Season Passes being cut over to the "new" channels. I had to manually re-create those that did not cut over cleanly. I believe everything on WFXT cut over nicely, but stuff on WLVI did not.

I believe someone here once said that the recordings were done by CALL LETTERS and not by numbers. So if the season passes were set, for example, for WFXTDT, then it should be recording whatever # that WFXTDT is...which is now 806. But the season passes are not doing this, if they are still set to record 825. Perhaps the TiVO has to wait until those channel #'s are deleted from their guide.

I believe everything on WFXT cut over nicely, but stuff on WLVI did not.Really? None of my Season Passes came over on my TiVo---though my Comcast DVR transferred my scheduled recordings properly back a few weeks ago.

Really? None of my Season Passes came over on my TiVo---though my Comcast DVR transferred my scheduled recordings properly back a few weeks ago.

I'm not 100% which ones cut over and which ones didn't, so don't hold it against me, but I'm nearly 100% sure that Season Pass migration success was absolutely pinned to a specific channel. That is, all of the Channel X passes (say, WFXT) worked, while all of the Channel Y passes (say, WLVI) did not. Not too much of a hassle, but it still could have been easier.

If the season passes were pinned to a specific channel, then neither WFXT OR WLVI would have been transferred, since they both moved to new #s.

If the season passes were pinned to a specific channel, then neither WFXT OR WLVI would have been transferred, since they both moved to new #s.

I don't believe they're "pinned" to a specific channel number, per se. I believe (as somebody pointed out above) that they're actually pinned to a channel's call letters.

That is, all of the Channel X passes (say, WFXT) worked, while all of the Channel Y passes (say, WLVI) did not.I had 6 or 7 season passes on Fox and none came over. I had one on the CW and it didn't come over either. I didn't have any on...whatever the other channel was...

Does anyone know if there is one? All I could find is WPRI in SD.

Thanks!

I think the TiVo problem (for me) was that the first attempt at new info was "WFXT" -- not "WFXTDT" -- being added as 806, etc. This was wrong, and the Season Passes were attached to WFXTDT, not WFXT, so the SPs didn't move. Then they changed those to be right. But there was never a transaction that was "WFXTDT has moved from 825 to 806", so the SPs never did the automatic-move thing.

I had 6 or 7 season passes on Fox and none came over. I had one on the CW and it didn't come over either. I didn't have any on...whatever the other channel was...

Keep in mind that I'm on a former-Adelphia system with HD channels numbering in the 700s, not a Comcast-proper system with HDs in the 800s. Our two systems are likely to be administered differently, and could result in the differences you've noted.

Hey, anyone with the tivo software from comcast...is it worth it? And does a tech still have to come out to your house to install it?

Hey, anyone with the tivo software from comcast...is it worth it? And does a tech still have to come out to your house to install it?

I ditched this long ago. It had way too many problems. It was not ready for distribution, yet they went ahead with it anyways. Now running Microsoft Media Center with Cable Cards...will never look back.

You can check the Comcast Tivo Community forum to find details and answers to your questions: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=62.

Can anyone comment on whether/when the Boston Comcast zone is/will be tru2way capable? I understand that both Chicago and Denver networks are ready...

Hey, anyone with the tivo software from comcast...is it worth it? And does a tech still have to come out to your house to install it?

Have been using the tivo software since it first came out here and its definitely a lot better now then it originally was. Personally, I like the software better than the old comcast dvr software and its more intuitive...it will record an episode from a season pass and then not record it again for a certain amount of time...this was my biggest problem with the comcast software originally. The fact the the dolby 5.1 on the newer boxes is finally active is a huge benefit. If you have any specific questions please ask. As far as then having to send out a tech...I think thats no longer necessary. When I had to swap out boxes I simply had to call the tivo department and they initiated the download and stayed on the line as it was happening. When the techs came out originally they spent most of the time complaining about tivo and having to be there during the install. Again, just my personal feelings on it.

Tom

Have been using the tivo software since it first came out here and its definitely a lot better now then it originally was. Personally, I like the software better than the old comcast dvr software and its more intuitive...it will record an episode from a season pass and then not record it again for a certain amount of time...this was my biggest problem with the comcast software originally. The fact the the dolby 5.1 on the newer boxes is finally active is a huge benefit. If you have any specific questions please ask. As far as then having to send out a tech...I think thats no longer necessary. When I had to swap out boxes I simply had to call the tivo department and they initiated the download and stayed on the line as it was happening. When the techs came out originally they spent most of the time complaining about tivo and having to be there during the install. Again, just my personal feelings on it.

Tom

Not all of the HD DVRs support Tivo. I believe you have to have a 34xx series DVR to support Tivo. I've had Tivo since Day 1 as well and its improved quite a bit over the last couple of patches. I was never a Tivo user (started out with ReplayTV then got the Comcast DVRs), but Tivo is much better than the Comcast TV Guide for overall intelligence in program recording.

I get Comcast lifeline cable, on a Panny HDTV QAM. I've noticed that for the past 2-3 days there is no sound on channel 5 (WCVB-DT). I get sound on the analog, and I get it OTA...

Has anybody else noticed something similar?

(Burlington, MA):confused:

Its hardly the biggest problem in the world, but would it have been *that* difficult for Comcast, when re-jiggering the HD Fox(25), WLVI(56) and WSBK(38) to have moved them to something other than a random number. At least 825, 856 and 838 bore a resemblance to the actual OTA channel numbers, if not their analog cable locations. (16, 12, 14). They moved WSBK to 814, but Fox at 806 and WLVI at 808 are random and forgettable. Why not 812, 814, and 816? [/rant]

Because, Ekanenh, that would make sense.
None of the Comcast channel locations make any sense...nothing is grouped together the way it (mostly) is on DirecTV.

They moved WSBK to 814, but Fox at 806 and WLVI at 808 are random and forgettable. Why not 812, 814, and 816? [/rant]I don't see what makes 806 any more forgettable than 816...and SBK isn't a network channel, right? It's independent. So now all the networks are together in a block:

804: CBS
805: ABC
806: Fox
807: NBC
808: The CW

Makes sense to me...

Note that Tribune finally deleted 825, 838 and 856.

(For folks with TiVo, Season Passes that previously were on those channels have been automatically switched to the new channels, though a bit too late for some shows, since Comcast itself deleted those channels earlier.)

Its hardly the biggest problem in the world, but would it have been *that* difficult for Comcast, when re-jiggering the HD Fox(25), WLVI(56) and WSBK(38) to have moved them to something other than a random number. At least 825, 856 and 838 bore a resemblance to the actual OTA channel numbers, if not their analog cable locations. (16, 12, 14). They moved WSBK to 814, but Fox at 806 and WLVI at 808 are random and forgettable. Why not 812, 814, and 816? [/rant]

Because 816 wouldn't make sense for FOX in all areas. Where I am FOX is on channel 13, so they would've had to make it 813 for my area.

The idea was to get all locals in one small group, which they've done (whether it makes sense or not number wise was not the top priority).

I don't see what makes 806 any more forgettable than 816...and SBK isn't a network channel, right? It's independent. So now all the networks are together in a block:

804: CBS
805: ABC
806: Fox
807: NBC
808: The CW

Makes sense to me...

It looks like the idea is to get 'the networks" into that contiguous block and give "the indies" the next block of numbers, which will be filled in after Feb 17th, when they have to pick up their digital signals (even if it's just 480i digital, as appears to be the case with the MyTV affiliate).

It looks like the idea is to get 'the networks" into that contiguous block and give "the indies" the next block of numbers, which will be filled in after Feb 17th, when they have to pick up their digital signals (even if it's just 480i digital, as appears to be the case with the MyTV affiliate).

The lower 800s (500s for me as I'm on Fios) are intended for HD signals. When ION FINALLY goes HD that is where ION-HD will go. (Ch 68 is a MUST CARRY and if a must carry signal is in HD cable MUST provide it I(N HD!)

As for WZMY,as long as it remains 480i it will stictly be on ch 18 (6 for me) I have heard that Fios is already using the WZMY-DT signal,and I would not be surpsied if Comcast is doing so as well.)

Just says local...total black screen. No programming information at all on the epg even going ahead by a week...

I wouldn't touch the community channels with a ten foot pole. That should be regulated for analog and for people on the lifeline stuff. Gutting it won't look good..

Well my Comcast service has been down for the past hour. Comcast really sucks as of late. Many issues with my service (they kept telling me it was in-house wiring, but it turned out to be water in my buried exterior cable). After about 6 months of going back and forth they finally ran a temporary line which fixed the problem. Of course they just buried the cable last week after 3 months of it lying on the ground. They did a fine job ripping up my lawn which is an exposed trail of dirt now. :(

Now I hear they're jacking my bill up 3%. While customer support is pretty good, Comcast absolutely blows. I really wish FIOS was available in Lowell. Someday soon, I hope. But until that day comes, I think I'm going to go with Dish. I hear they finally have NESN in HD. That's all I need to hear.

Verizon just wired my condo complex for FIOS, and they did a fine job ripping up the lawn which is an exposed trail of dirt now. If a cable needs to be buried, it doesn't matter if it's done for Comcast or Verizon or anyone else.

Hoping someone with a Panny plasma can shed some light. I'm an OTA guy so no extensive experience with Comcast's network or QAM from a practical perspective.

My folks have a PX60U model (a few years old now) and only have SD service. I split the coax and ran half directly to the RF input on the set so it could pick up the clear QAM HD channels using the internal tuner. (Other half goes to the SD box which is connected via A/V inputs.) They've been using it this way ever since they got it. Recently all the digital channels disappeared so I had to re-scan. Aside from all the completely useless hundreds of channels of nothing, I noticed that channels 129-135 appear in duplicate. The problem with this is that the tuner seems to have some issue with these channels and once you get stuck on one of them, the "CH up" button doesn't roll over to the lowest channel on the list (e.g. 2-2.) and stays on the current channel. Every time I go and delete them from the channel listing, they come back automagically! Luckily I was able to work around this by specifying only the clear HD channels as favorites and setting the channel selection mode to be "favs" instead of "all", but I shouldn't have to do this!

I upgraded the firmware for the tuner but this problem remains. I'm completely dumbfounded. A display should never replace channels I've specifically removed in an unsolicited manner such as happens. If its the case that these are PSIP mapped channels they shouldn't be using the exact same channel numbers as existing ones. Part of me thinks Comcast deliberately makes setting up the clear QAM this difficult so they can sell more HD boxes and service, which is why I will NEVER go back to them. EVER. Makes me wonder how many people are really paying for "basic" HD service that needn't be. They kept calling my folks week after week and telling them the ONLY way to get HD was if they ordered the service and box from them. Crooks. But I digress.....

Even though I've got it working, I've been completely frustrated with the entire experience. (Don't even get me going on the Panny upgrade procedure!) Has anyone else experienced or seen this problem? Any way to resolve it? I've searched the display forums up and down but can't seem to find any mention of it. Hoping another user or owner can help guide me to the light. ;)

Part of me thinks Comcast deliberately makes setting up the clear QAM this difficult so they can sell more HD boxes and service, which is why I will NEVER go back to them. EVER. Makes me wonder how many people are really paying for "basic" HD service that needn't be. They kept calling my folks week after week and telling them the ONLY way to get HD was if they ordered the service and box from them. Crooks. But I digress.....


It unfortunately is not the cable company's job to educate the customer on how to use their TV or what their TV is capable of. If a customer has a converter supplied by the cable company there is education on how to use that, but sadly not on the literally hundreds of different TV's. Many people have TV's with QAM tuners & have no idea the channels are available without a converter. Comcast has nothing to do with 'how hard' it is to set up the channels on the TV, this would be something to gripe to the TV manufacturer about. Sounds like you're just bitter at Comcast for something from the past & just want to bash them a little. Although it should be Panasonic you should be mad at. Sure Comcast has to re-align their channels occasionally & people have to reprogram their TV's, but it's not their fault if a TV is a P.I.T.A. to program.

It unfortunately is not the cable company's job to educate the customer on how to use their TV or what their TV is capable of. If a customer has a converter supplied by the cable company there is education on how to use that, but sadly not on the literally hundreds of different TV's. Many people have TV's with QAM tuners & have no idea the channels are available without a converter. Comcast has nothing to do with 'how hard' it is to set up the channels on the TV, this would be something to gripe to the TV manufacturer about. Sounds like you're just bitter at Comcast for something from the past & just want to bash them a little. Although it should be Panasonic you should be mad at. Sure Comcast has to re-align their channels occasionally & people have to reprogram their TV's, but it's not their fault if a TV is a P.I.T.A. to program.

Doug C:
You are posting in a wrong forum. This forum seems to be dominated by comcast fanboys.
I agree with you totally and had made similar point earlier. It is simple to me (and many of us) that COmcast is in the business of providing cable service and when we transition to Digital the company should provide the channels easily available via Digital tuner that is standard in every TV.

But that is not the way it works with comcast. It is taking advantage of Digital switchover and forcing people to rent cable boxes assuring comcast of fixed income.

I'm not looking to rip Comcast, that was just a bit of my frustration showing thru. And I am angry with Panasonic as well. Its nice they offer firmware updates to address problems, all CE mfrs need to get on this bandwagon. But they leave out required details and links to req'd tools which leave the user to essentially fend for themselves. Nevermind their completely horrendous channel management interface.

But the main point of my post stands. I'm hoping to get some kind of feedback from other Panny PX60U owners using the QAM tuning capabilities to directly receive the in the clear channels. Does anyone in this config see the duplicated channels 129-135 that automagically reappear when removed from the lineup? And if so, do they have the same problem getting stuck on those channels when they surf there with ch +/- buttons on "all ch" mode? Since I can find neither of these issues mentioned in the general Plasma or other forums, I'm assuming it has to do with how Comacst has their network and PSIP mapping configured which is (deliberately?) causing the problem.

Doug C:
You are posting in a wrong forum. This forum seems to be dominated by comcast fanboys.
I agree with you totally and had made similar point earlier. It is simple to me (and many of us) that COmcast is in the business of providing cable service and when we transition to Digital the company should provide the channels easily available via Digital tuner that is standard in every TV.

But that is not the way it works with comcast. It is taking advantage of Digital switchover and forcing people to rent cable boxes assuring comcast of fixed income.

First of all, yes, Comcast is in the market to provide cable service & that's what they're doing. I'm not sure if you're complaining about a TV with a QAM tuner not getting Expanded basic channels digitally without a box or what. Which if this is your point then I'd have to say that keep in mind the transition to all digital is still relatively young. People are capable of receiving all their channels, if they have a cable card TV & get a cable card from the cable company (cost varies by area, generally minimal). Once again a lot of people aren't making use of them right now because they either don't know their TV's are capable of this or that they don't want to lose their guide/OnDemand. When Tru2Way is launched in more areas this will most likely change. When cable cards are no longer needed & the security is software based in the TV's themselves it will make a huge difference.
Also remember that many Exp. basic (or at least basic) channels will be available for at least the next few years to customers on existing analog cable ready TV's, this is unlike Verizon and some other providers that are all digital and a converter is needed on every TV.

Secondly the channels are there for the watching for TV's with QAM tuners. My 4 year old Hitachi with a QAM tuner pulls in all the analog, digital and HD channels that are available on the systems with no problem. Like I said in my previous post, it's mostly a problem with the TV manufacturers, but if it makes you feel better, you can go ahead and keep blaming the cable company. Even though the basic channels are clearly there for the taking.

First of all, yes, Comcast is in the market to provide cable service & that's what they're doing. I'm not sure if you're complaining about a TV with a QAM tuner not getting Expanded basic channels digitally without a box or what. Which if this is your point then I'd have to say that keep in mind the transition to all digital is still relatively young. People are capable of receiving all their channels, if they have a cable card TV & get a cable card from the cable company (cost varies by area, generally minimal). Once again a lot of people aren't making use of them right now because they either don't know their TV's are capable of this or that they don't want to lose their guide/OnDemand. When Tru2Way is launched in more areas this will most likely change. When cable cards are no longer needed & the security is software based in the TV's themselves it will make a huge difference.
Also remember that many Exp. basic (or at least basic) channels will be available for at least the next few years to customers on existing analog cable ready TV's, this is unlike Verizon and some other providers that are all digital and a converter is needed on every TV.

Secondly the channels are there for the watching for TV's with QAM tuners. My 4 year old Hitachi with a QAM tuner pulls in all the analog, digital and HD channels that are available on the systems with no problem. Like I said in my previous post, it's mostly a problem with the TV manufacturers, but if it makes you feel better, you can go ahead and keep blaming the cable company. Even though the basic channels are clearly there for the taking.

It is not a problem of TV manufacturers. Standard cable must be unencrypted and available via QAM Digital Tuners. You should not need to "rent" cable boxes to watch standard cable. And FYI cable card is not standard in most new TV sets, QAM is.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-11-04-cable_N.htm?csp=34

I have big problems when my cable company says I need pay $5.75 rent per month and use a device to view standard cable. I understand the transition to Digital and I am not opposed to that. For me it is logical that when cable company transitions to Digital the same channels must be available via Digital/QAM tuner unencrypted.

As I said earlier, the audience of this thread is not the right one for me to discuss this probably. You guys are more worried about getting weather channel HD than your cable company cheating you.

It is not a problem of TV manufacturers. Standard cable must be unencrypted and available via QAM Digital Tuners. You should not need to "rent" cable boxes to watch standard cable. And FYI cable card is not standard in most new TV sets, QAM is.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-11-04-cable_N.htm?csp=34

I have big problems when my cable company says I need pay $5.75 rent per month and use a device to view standard cable. I understand the transition to Digital and I am not opposed to that. For me it is logical that when cable company transitions to Digital the same channels must be available via Digital/QAM tuner unencrypted.

As I said earlier, the audience of this thread is not the right one for me to discuss this probably. You guys are more worried about getting weather channel HD than your cable company cheating you.

Had you fully read the article you just linked you would see that many of the cable operators are offering at least 1 digital box for free and in the case of the Digital Adapters, most for free (in the systems that its available in). Cable companies have the right, and even the obligation through contracts with content providers, to secure the content they distribute. The only proven method of securing that content is to encrypt it. At this time, the only options for decrypting are STBs or CableCard. But as is seen with Tru2Way and Panasonics demonstration of it working, there will be other options. CableCard turned out to be a lame duck because so few TV manufacturers were willing to support it. So the cable companies had to come up with something else (Tru2Way). Now TV manufacturers and/or STB manufacturers will need to support that. This is the march of technology. Just like in Feb 09 when all the OTA analog channels go to digital, your old rabbit ears TV will not function without an STB.

On the HD front in the last 2 months Comcast has only dropped WBZ -HD in Bristol County. Will we see any new HD channels in NOv.?

Had you fully read the article you just linked you would see that many of the cable operators are offering at least 1 digital box for free and in the case of the Digital Adapters, most for free (in the systems that its available in). Cable companies have the right, and even the obligation through contracts with content providers, to secure the content they distribute. The only proven method of securing that content is to encrypt it. At this time, the only options for decrypting are STBs or CableCard. But as is seen with Tru2Way and Panasonics demonstration of it working, there will be other options. CableCard turned out to be a lame duck because so few TV manufacturers were willing to support it. So the cable companies had to come up with something else (Tru2Way). Now TV manufacturers and/or STB manufacturers will need to support that. This is the march of technology. Just like in Feb 09 when all the OTA analog channels go to digital, your old rabbit ears TV will not function without an STB.


Apparently the need to "secure" content coincided with the digital transition. I understand the need to secure premium channels, but standard cable does not make sense. This is nothing more than the cable companies using the opportunity to make a money at our expense.
So what is your bet of a STB being freely available in market that comcast will support? Zero to none.

Apparently the need to "secure" content coincided with the digital transition. I understand the need to secure premium channels, but standard cable does not make sense. This is nothing more than the cable companies using the opportunity to make a money at our expense.
So what is your bet of a STB being freely available in market that comcast will support? Zero to none.

If you read the trades there is a rather big chance that Comcast will provide the digital adapters free of charge when they make the large leap of going all digital (except for the FCC mandated analog carry of must-carry broadcasters until 2012). Comcast (and any cable co for that matter) would stand to lose alot of customers if they transitioned to digital and forced customers to have to pay for all of their boxes. As for securing content, they are legally required to by the contracts they have with content providers. Even Verizon and AT&T have to secure their content through digital encryption. Verizon requires EVERY customer to have a digital box. There is no free QAM tuner or analog channels of anything but basic service.

The thing I say to everyone who complains about something and just can't seem to get past it... if you don't like it, get something else. There is always satellite.

If you read the trades there is a rather big chance that Comcast will provide the digital adapters free of charge when they make the large leap of going all digital (except for the FCC mandated analog carry of must-carry broadcasters until 2012). Comcast (and any cable co for that matter) would stand to lose alot of customers if they transitioned to digital and forced customers to have to pay for all of their boxes. As for securing content, they are legally required to by the contracts they have with content providers. Even Verizon and AT&T have to secure their content through digital encryption. Verizon requires EVERY customer to have a digital box. There is no free QAM tuner or analog channels of anything but basic service.

The thing I say to everyone who complains about something and just can't seem to get past it... if you don't like it, get something else. There is always satellite.

I don't see free digital boxes coming from Comcast and there should not be any. These should be freely available in market. The technology is there. Digital STB's are freely available in other countries and they are cheap around $50-$100. Why do you need to "rent" them from comcast?

I see lot of Comcast "will provide" etc stuff in your and earlier answers. That is extremely naive. Comcast will not and has no reason to provide "free" and "standard" stuff at the cost of earnings, but it is the job of FCC to regulate if Comcast and other companies are doing so at the cost of consumer money. I am all for digital encryption, just don't make me pay for it.

Finally the answer "go somewhere else" is the answer you guys always come up with. For me and many people like me Comcast is a monopoly and we have no choice in the matter. And don't think comcast does not know that. We don't have FIOS or Dish option. No other way to get cable.

Anyway, I feel I have made my point and see no reason to continue this discussion from my side. Good luck.

NFL game tonight (Cleveland v. Denver) only available on NFL Network. I believe you need to subscribe to the Sports and Entertainment package to get this.

Mickey

If you read the trades there is a rather big chance that Comcast will provide the digital adapters free of charge when they make the large leap of going all digital (except for the FCC mandated analog carry of must-carry broadcasters until 2012). Comcast (and any cable co for that matter) would stand to lose alot of customers if they transitioned to digital and forced customers to have to pay for all of their boxes. As for securing content, they are legally required to by the contracts they have with content providers. Even Verizon and AT&T have to secure their content through digital encryption. Verizon requires EVERY customer to have a digital box. There is no free QAM tuner or analog channels of anything but basic service.

The thing I say to everyone who complains about something and just can't seem to get past it... if you don't like it, get something else. There is always satellite.

I believe they are losing customers and profit by NOT going all digital. If all the competition is already all digital and they are losing customers to them, where is the gain by staying analog? The answer, there isn't any. This analog love-fest has to end and end soon . Comcast would not lose as many subs as you think because they would have no where else to go without putting themselves in the same boat as the one they are trying to get out of. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last and thats where Comcast will end up if they don't change their strategy and keep up with the times and technology instead of trying to keep catering to people who want to hold on to the past.

Their taking thier sweet time in digital migration was a major factor in the jump to Fios.

The big things they did last summer over the migration of JUST FIVE as opposed to 40+ channels was the last straw.

I don't see HDNet on Comcast yet either.

When it comes to premium movie channels:

Comcast: 6 HD and 18 SD

FIOS: 12 SD and 42 HD!

NFL game tonight (Cleveland v. Denver) only available on NFL Network. I believe you need to subscribe to the Sports and Entertainment package to get this.

Mickey
I might as well correct myself. It looks like Comcast doesn't offer a separate Sports and Entertainment package anymore, so you have to subscribe to the right high-end package/bundle, and then it is included. I just checked my wallet, and it's empty. So no game tonight for me.

Mickey

I believe they are losing customers and profit by NOT going all digital. If all the competition is already all digital and they are losing customers to them, where is the gain by staying analog? The answer, there isn't any. This analog love-fest has to end and end soon . Comcast would not lose as many subs as you think because they would have no where else to go without putting themselves in the same boat as the one they are trying to get out of. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last and thats where Comcast will end up if they don't change their strategy and keep up with the times and technology instead of trying to keep catering to people who want to hold on to the past.

Comcast has over 4 million subscribers in the New England footprint as opposed to only a few hundred thousand that Fios has. There are ALOT of people out there with those analog only cable direct TVs that don't want to have to get an STB or buy a new TV. I'm with you on just ripping off the band aid and going all digital, but I'm sure Comcast knows their business better than any of us and have a MUCH clearer picture of what would happen if they did that. If its was more profitable for them to do it, don't you think they would have by now? We are but a small vocal minority on this forum. I really don't think even 1% of Comcast's New England subscribers read this forum, do you?

I might as well correct myself. It looks like Comcast doesn't offer a separate Sports and Entertainment package anymore, so you have to subscribe to the right high-end package/bundle, and then it is included. I just checked my wallet, and it's empty. So no game tonight for me.

Mickey

Forget the website, they do offer it, 7.95/mos

Comcast has over 4 million subscribers in the New England footprint as opposed to only a few hundred thousand that Fios has. There are ALOT of people out there with those analog only cable direct TVs that don't want to have to get an STB or buy a new TV. I'm with you on just ripping off the band aid and going all digital, but I'm sure Comcast knows their business better than any of us and have a MUCH clearer picture of what would happen if they did that. If its was more profitable for them to do it, don't you think they would have by now? We are but a small vocal minority on this forum. I really don't think even 1% of Comcast's New England subscribers read this forum, do you?

ScoopsHD is 100% correct. Most of my friends don't even have HD!! We forget that we are still in a small (but growing) minority. Comcast is doing what they feel is in their best interest.

-KEn

Comcast will give out DTA's when the customers they will retain by movng to all digital and improving their HD selection (benefits) outweighs the physical costs of providing the devices.

CN8 is biting the dust.

I don't think anyone knew it was still around. Talk about a waste of bandwidth.

ScoopsHD is 100% correct. Most of my friends don't even have HD!! We forget that we are still in a small (but growing) minority. Comcast is doing what they feel is in their best interest.

-KEn

You don't have to have HD to go digital. You can still have basic for your analog fix. Just adding DTA's to these folks TV's is not such a big inconvience as much as some of you people are making it out to be. This in return opens up bandwidth and adds more subcribers looking for a better selection in HD programming which is where the big money is to be made. That would make business sense to me, not the low profit analog crowd! Like I have been saying for some time now, all the competition is already digital, so there is no disadvantage by also doing so. Why is this so hard to understand?

Their taking thier sweet time in digital migration was a major factor in the jump to Fios.

The big things they did last summer over the migration of JUST FIVE as opposed to 40+ channels was the last straw.

I don't see HDNet on Comcast yet either.

When it comes to premium movie channels:

Comcast: 6 HD and 18 SD

FIOS: 12 SD and 42 HD!

As soon as FIOS is available in my area we are switching that day.

We are paying $171 for Digital Starter plus and top tier Internet. I am being charged $62 a month just for boxes. I have a friend with FIOS and with the multi room DVR, there are no need for 3 separate DVR boxes.

What does FIOS charge for the same services?


If Comcrap was doing such a great job they would be gaining customers, they are loosing more than they are getting. Then there are 2 rate increases within 3 months of each other. What an Fing joke. More money for less service. Plus their stock is in the toilet, because they are loosing market share.

They have a weather channel and thier own CSN in HD, which both suck azz. But they can't add CNBC and FX.

Like I said, I am out, ASAP!!!!

Oh yeah, now they have a bandwith limit of 250gb a month. Whats next, they going to tell me when I can watch TV?

Looks like this will be coming to us soon.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14920085#post14920085

No mention of any additional HD though! :(


Joke!!! I have been getting around 20Mbps for over a year now. They are just trying to justify the rate increases.

As soon as FIOS is available in my area we are switching that day.

We are paying $171 for Digital Starter plus and top tier Internet. I am being charged $62 a month just for boxes. I have a friend with FIOS and with the multi room DVR, there are no need for 3 separate DVR boxes.

You must not record much HD. I have 3 seperate DVRs (2 x 160 and 1 x 120) and they're all close to full most of the time. Multi-room DVR capability would be great, but the amount of storage space is the same as one regular box.

You must not record much HD. I have 3 seperate DVRs (2 x 160 and 1 x 120) and they're all close to full most of the time. Multi-room DVR capability would be great, but the amount of storage space is the same as one regular box.

I do tons on DVR stuff, I have 3 dual tuner 120gb DVRs. They are always on. Comcast charges $20 per box. I am paying $117 just for digital starter classic with 3 boxes.

On the other hand Dish Network allows me to have 2 dual tuner with a third multiroom for 7 more a month not 20.

Also, Compcrap is taking away HD channels to give us useless channels like NBC weather and CN8. They want to take MOJO and use 881 as CN8.

They keep saying they are "rolling out" new HD channels, yeah they are but the total HD channels remains the same.

As soon as FIOS is available in my area we are switching that day.

We are paying $171 for Digital Starter plus and top tier Internet. I am being charged $62 a month just for boxes. I have a friend with FIOS and with the multi room DVR, there are no need for 3 separate DVR boxes.

What does FIOS charge for the same services?


If Comcrap was doing such a great job they would be gaining customers, they are loosing more than they are getting. Then there are 2 rate increases within 3 months of each other. What an Fing joke. More money for less service. Plus their stock is in the toilet, because they are loosing market share.

They have a weather channel and thier own CSN in HD, which both suck azz. But they can't add CNBC and FX.

Like I said, I am out, ASAP!!!!

Oh yeah, now they have a bandwith limit of 250gb a month. Whats next, they going to tell me when I can watch TV?

The current bundle is $109 for Extreme HD 20/5 Internet and unlimited phone. Dvrs run $17 a peice with a $3 surcharge for the Home Media option.

Bundles are renewable unlike with comcast.

Also, Compcrap is taking away HD channels to give us useless channels like NBC weather and CN8. They want to take MOJO and use 881 as CN8.

They keep saying they are "rolling out" new HD channels, yeah they are but the total HD channels remains the same.

FYI, Comcast is not taking MOJO away. MOJO is shutting down as a channel is being cancelled by its owners. How can Comcast carry a station when they will cease broadcasting?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/07/indemand-confirms-mojo-hd-cancellation/

Fortunately MOJO will be on VOD still.

Comcast is not always the bad guy.

The current bundle is $109 for Extreme HD 20/5 Internet and unlimited phone. Dvrs run $17 a peice with a $3 surcharge for the Home Media option.

Bundles are renewable unlike with comcast.

I Called DN last night. I was quoted $89 a month for 2 years, with 2 DVRs and 1 regular box. Free install, free equipment warranty, a $50 rebate. My total was $99 for the second DVR box.

If you read my post, I only have 2 services with Comcrap costing $174 a month. So even with 3 services from FIOS, I am paying almost double.

But I was also taking about DN also. FIOS looks over priced compared to DN but still a lot lower than comcast.

Even if comcast offered me a deal to stay, I will not. They know FIOS is not available here, so they keep prices high. To bad for them.

FYI, Comcast is not taking MOJO away. MOJO is shutting down as a channel is being cancelled by its owners. How can Comcast carry a station when they will cease broadcasting?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/07/indemand-confirms-mojo-hd-cancellation/

Fortunately MOJO will be on VOD still.

Comcast is not always the bad guy.


My bad

Just got the annual price hike letter.

I'm happily dropping off my DVR box at the local Comcast office tomorrow to discontinue DVR Service (I'll get a regular HD box) and I'm canceling "Digital Classic".....Both the DVR Service and Digital Classic are getting price hikes and I'm tired of paying for them. The rep on the phone claims I will lose NO HD channels if I drop classic (before I think TNT and Nesn were bundled with it or something). Can anyone confirm?

Just got the annual price hike letter.

I'm happily dropping off my DVR box at the local Comcast office tomorrow to discontinue DVR Service (I'll get a regular HD box) and I'm canceling "Digital Classic".....Both the DVR Service and Digital Classic are getting price hikes and I'm tired of paying for them. The rep on the phone claims I will lose NO HD channels if I drop classic (before I think TNT and Nesn were bundled with it or something). Can anyone confirm?


You will lose 2 channels by dropping Classic, National Geographic HD & Science Channel HD. Their SD counterparts are located in Classic.

Comcast is not always the bad guy.

According to those that have had bad experiences of some type or want everything for free Comcast will always be the bad guy. The electricity could go out and some people would be mad at Comcast that they couldn't watch TV. :rolleyes:

(go on, flame away)

Just got the annual price hike letter.

I'm happily dropping off my DVR box at the local Comcast office tomorrow to discontinue DVR Service (I'll get a regular HD box) and I'm canceling "Digital Classic".....Both the DVR Service and Digital Classic are getting price hikes and I'm tired of paying for them. The rep on the phone claims I will lose NO HD channels if I drop classic (before I think TNT and Nesn were bundled with it or something). Can anyone confirm?


:mad: How much is Digital Classic going to cost now? I'm thinking of drooping this too.

:mad: How much is Digital Classic going to cost now? I'm thinking of drooping this too.

Its going up $3.00, New price $13.95

According to those that have had bad experiences of some type or want everything for free Comcast will always be the bad guy. The electricity could go out and some people would be mad at Comcast that they couldn't watch TV. :rolleyes:

(go on, flame away)

Sorry, but no flames from me. I agree with you. I guess, just because I have no major issues with Comcast I qualify as their fanboy.:D

Hey, anyone with the tivo software from comcast...is it worth it? And does a tech still have to come out to your house to install it?

I've had it since September -- here are my thoughts.

Like the interface, I find it more responsive than the non-Tivo software was back in Utah. Not sure about how the non-Tivo software runs here in Boston. I also like the auto-rewind when fastforwarding.

Dislikes - still buggy. I've had at least 4 episodes of shows not get recorded for various reasons. For example, both House and Fringe just suddenly stopped being recorded a while back. I have a season pass for them, they get listed as to be recorded, but then don't get recorded... This may be due to their programming ID changing since I created the season pass. I'll see this week since I deleted and recreated the pass since their last episodes. Still, it is very frustrating to pay extra for this service each month and not have shows get recorded...

I also can't record anything off the CW HD anymore, even manual timed recordings (or just going to the channel and hitting record). I get some type of error message. This only appeared after the channel number changed.

So, my recommendation would be to stick with the non-Tivo software unless it really bugs you. While I don't think it has the "bounce-back" when fast-forwarding, you can still setup 30 second skip on the remote which is just as useful...

Anyone else still have the dual mapping of 25, 38, & 56 on their CableCard?

L Supreme,
Will we see any new HD channels before the New Year or are they going to wait till the digital change over happens?

What is Digital Starter going to cost?

L Supreme,
Will we see any new HD channels before the New Year or are they going to wait till the digital change over happens?

What is Digital Starter going to cost?

More to come before 09 if all goes well.

Pricing will vary on Starter from area to area.

More to come before 09 if all goes well.

Pricing will vary on Starter from area to area.

When you mean if all goes well, does that mean moving expanded to digital?

Come on already, I am on the fence on going to Turbo HD and dumping Comcast. The ugly dish is what is keeping me back.

does comcast have just a channel 2-72 package anymore? i noticed it is listed in their channel guides, but does not show up as an option when choosing a cable package. just lists the basic package @ $15. what is the charge for the standard package?

also, is it possible to get non-local HD stations (such as TNT, TBS, etc) without an HD box rental?

does comcast have just a channel 2-72 package anymore? i noticed it is listed in their channel guides, but does not show up as an option when choosing a cable package. just lists the basic package @ $15. what is the charge for the standard package?

also, is it possible to get non-local HD stations (such as TNT, TBS, etc) without an HD box rental?


The TNT and such come in on a regular set. The HD channels also do not need a box if you have a built in tuner. Most new flat panels have a tuner. My Envision 19" 200 buck LCD even has it.

Only local HD channels will come in without an HD box.

The TNT and such come in on a regular set. The HD channels also do not need a box if you have a built in tuner. Most new flat panels have a tuner. My Envision 19" 200 buck LCD even has it.

The HD simulcast channels, if not a Broadcaster do require a cable box to decrypt. Or a TV with cable card, or the soon to be released Tru2Way.

The TNT and such come in on a regular set. The HD channels also do not need a box if you have a built in tuner. Most new flat panels have a tuner. My Envision 19" 200 buck LCD even has it.

This depends on where you located. In the Boston area, you can NOT receive anything but the locals without some kind of converter box (you might be able to pick up E!, but that's because it's owned by Comcast). Other Comcast areas may vary.

This depends on where you located. In the Boston area, you can NOT receive anything but the locals without some kind of converter box (you might be able to pick up E!, but that's because it's owned by Comcast). Other Comcast areas may vary.


My Kid's TV, which is the only TV in the house that does not have a box gets all the channels including channels like 2-2
2-3
4-1
5-1
TNT USA TBS Disney Speed all come in.
etc

No box needed.

My Kid's TV, which is the only TV in the house that does not have a box gets all the channels including channels like 2-2
2-3
4-1
5-1
TNT USA TBS Disney Speed all come in.
etc

No box needed.

So are you saying you receive TNT HD, USA HD, TBS HD, DISNEY HD, and SPEED HD without a Comcast box or a CableCard? (I didn't know SPEED HD was offered in our region.) If so, which channel is your TV tuned to for each one?
Or are you saying you receive the ANALOG SD versions of these channels somewhere in the 2-98 range? That would make sense for anyone subscribed to Standard Cable or any higher level of service.

So are you saying you receive TNT HD, USA HD, TBS HD, DISNEY HD, and SPEED HD without a Comcast box or a CableCard? (I didn't know SPEED HD was offered in our region.) If so, which channel is your TV tuned to for each one?
Or are you saying you receive the ANALOG SD versions of these channels somewhere in the 2-98 range? That would make sense for anyone subscribed to Standard Cable or any higher level of service.


I did not say speed HD. They can't even get that right, BTW. I have speed as part of my package. It comes in two forms channel 54 and 250. Now 54 for some reason "shares" local access in another city. So it shows nothing but "local access" in the program guide on 54. But here is the kicker, 250 is part of their sports package and cost $7.99. So I can not set recordings (ex. manuals) like seasons etc. Because 54 just shows local access. Another reason to dis-like comcrap. Pay for a service and a channel but don't get it. Hummmmm.

The 2-1 2-2 5-1 etc are in HD on my TVs without a box. When I press info on the TVs it says 1080i HD.

I did not say speed HD. They can't even get that right, BTW. I have speed as part of my package. It comes in two forms channel 54 and 250. Now 54 for some reason "shares" local access in another city. So it shows nothing but "local access" in the program guide on 54. But here is the kicker, 250 is part of their sports package and cost $7.99. So I can not set recordings (ex. manuals) like seasons etc. Because 54 just shows local access. Another reason to dis-like comcrap. Pay for a service and a channel but don't get it. Hummmmm.

The 2-1 2-2 5-1 etc are in HD on my TVs without a box. When I press info on the TVs it says 1080i HD.

But the channels you say you get like TNT and TBS and Disney, you are referring to the SD versions or analog, not the HD versions correct?

As for Speed, Comcast is only the latest in a long line of many smaller cable companies that started in New England. Comcast inherited every franchise agreement from AT&T, AT&T from MediaOne, etc. So likely the Speed you have on 54 is because of some franchise agreement made back in the halcyon days of cable and thats why your town gets it but everyone else gets an access channel.

Anyone know what happened to the 1-2 NBA games per week they used to show in HD on 881? Now that MOJO is going under, are they still showing those games on another channel?

Anyone know what happened to the 1-2 NBA games per week they used to show in HD on 881? Now that MOJO is going under, are they still showing those games on another channel?
I assume you're thinking random NBA games not Celtics games right? I don't recall any NBA games on MOJO, but I could be wrong...

I assume you're thinking random NBA games not Celtics games right? I don't recall any NBA games on MOJO, but I could be wrong...


Yeah when they had INHD1 and INHD2, they would show games and such. Then MOJO took over INHD1 and make it mojo 881. INHD2 (882) fell off the map. Now it looks they both are falling off the map.

Yes InDemand is shutting down MOJO. MOJO/INHD had a contract to show the NBA TV HD games but did not enter an agreement this year because it would only show a month worth of games.

You will lose 2 channels by dropping Classic, National Geographic HD & Science Channel HD. Their SD counterparts are located in Classic.

In addition to losing those 2 HD channels I was told you lose the 200s which includes stuff like BBC America and some movie channels as well as Soundscape digital music channels. My only hesitation is over the 200s.

In addition to losing those 2 HD channels I was told you lose the 200s which includes stuff like BBC America and some movie channels as well as Soundscape digital music channels. My only hesitation is over the 200s.
Many areas are the same now, so I would guess that would be several Encore channels, Sundance, and IFC. The fastest, but not necessarily accurate, way to determine this is to look at your channel lineup, sorted by service on Comcast's site for your area. The only way to be sure to get accurate info. (although it still may not be up to date with every channel change) is to get a channels/services card- and you may as well get a prices/services card, too- from Comcast's local office.

IMHO in order to keep the customers they have. They need to have roll out dates posted. You call and know one knows anything. The current non-pay (HBO etc) HD channel line up is pathetic.

They keep adding bogus channels like Science channel, CN8, MTV (palladium). When they need to be adding channels like FX, CNBC, Spike, Speed, etc. I can not see why it is so hard to add HD channels, but we have 3 versions of current channels. HD, Digital and SD. There are like 10 history channels now in digital, but not HD.

Some please explain this to me. Should I get Turbo HD or is Comcast going to roll out lots more HD channels?

I think the explanation is more simple than that: Your original premise isn't correct. They actually don't need to have roll-out dates for new HD channels posted.

Personally, I much prefer Science Channel HD and Palladium HD over Speed HD or Spike HD or CNBC HD. So what you're seeing is a reflection of the fact that they have a lots of different customers, and we don't all want the same things.

In addition to losing those 2 HD channels I was told you lose the 200s which includes stuff like BBC America and some movie channels as well as Soundscape digital music channels. My only hesitation is over the 200s.

Yeah those too, but the OP was asking about what HD channels would be lost not SD channels.

...

Some please explain this to me. Should I get Turbo HD or is Comcast going to roll out lots more HD channels?

I don't think there is "lots more" HD channels out there that I am craving for. Maybe two or three. Oh yea, I would like Comcast to carry Tennis channel HD (it is on D*) but, I am sure most of you would not care less.

I don't think there is "lots more" HD channels out there that I am craving for. Maybe two or three. Oh yea, I would like Comcast to carry Tennis channel HD (it is on D*) but, I am sure most of you would not care less.

I agree, lets get this channel or that channel and everyone will be happy, I don't think so! I'm still waiting for the weather channel but I have come to the conclusion the only way I'll be seeing that is if I change providers which I'm not ready ( or can't ) do at this time. And lets face it, a lot of the HD channels we have NOW are a joke! There is very little HD programming, or it's upconverted or stretched on many of them and if they just dropped about a half dozen or so, I wouldn't miss them at all!

So the best way to objectively evaluate which HD channels a provider should provide, given limited bandwidth, is like this:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/11/11/fox-news-nickelodeon-lead-cable-networks-november-3-9/7976

So the best way to objectively evaluate which HD channels a provider should provide, given limited bandwidth, is like this:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/11/11/fox-news-nickelodeon-lead-cable-networks-november-3-9/7976

40% of them are not offered by Comacst as HD channels, in my area.

So the best way to objectively evaluate which HD channels a provider should provide, given limited bandwidth, is like this:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/11/11/fox-news-nickelodeon-lead-cable-networks-november-3-9/7976

Not so simple. These are the most watched channels from the list that viewers already have. You may say that we can drop the channels at the bottom of the list (i.e., the complete list, not just the top 20). But, it's hard to tell which channels that we don't have should be added.

Jets vs. Pats game tonight is on WCVB-5 in addition to the NFL Network.

Mickey

Does anyone know if Pats game on Channel 5 (805) will be in HD tonight?

Does anyone know if Pats game on Channel 5 (805) will be in HD tonight?

Yes! And don't forget the Bruins vs Habs at 7 on NESN from the Garden. Great night for area sports fans.

Does anyone know if Pats game on Channel 5 (805) will be in HD tonight?


Yes, since comcast wants to charge for the NFL network. It has to do with local games, sold in local markets as long as it is sold out.

Yes, since comcast wants to charge for the NFL network. It has to do with local games, sold in local markets as long as it is sold out.

Comcast charging for it has nothing to do with it. It all pertains to the NFL black out rules which allows a local station to broadcast a game if it is only available on cable. Yes it does have to be sold out which is part of the rule as you mentioned.

But does anyone know if it will be in HD? The guide does not have it flagged as HD - which is a bit concerning...

But does anyone know if it will be in HD? The guide does not have it flagged as HD - which is a bit concerning...

I'd bet my mortgage on it.

I saw an ad on channel 805 saying the game would be in HD and giving re-broadcast times for the shows it is replacing.

Comcast charging for it has nothing to do with it. It all pertains to the NFL black out rules which allows a local station to broadcast a game if it is only available on cable. Yes it does have to be sold out which is part of the rule as you mentioned.


What I tried to say was it HAS to be on a local channel also. It has to do with franchise rules or something like that. I am sure someone here knows the real terms.

Like last year, when the pats were going for # 16, thousands of people complained that Comast was charging $5 to watch the game. Then is ended up being on like 4 networks.

Again, just another reason to hate Comcast. I can't wait for FIOS!!!!!

You will lose 2 channels by dropping Classic, National Geographic HD & Science Channel HD. Their SD counterparts are located in Classic.


Contrary to what I was told on the phone, the lady at the office where I exchanged my box said I'd lose about 20 channels. Basically all the HD channels except the big networks (like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, etc)..

Can anyone confirm if this is true? If I discontinue Digital Classic will I only lose 2 HD channels or a whole bunch? I could care less about any channels that aren't HD.

edit: I checked their channel listing for my area and it looks from the listing that I would indeed only lose Science and Nation Geo HD. I made the call and the rep on the phone agreed. I put the change through, we'll see when I get home what I lost......This would be a nice savings though if it works out. Its too bad no one can figure out their channel packages, not even employees.

What I tried to say was it HAS to be on a local channel also. It has to do with franchise rules or something like that. I am sure someone here knows the real terms.

Like last year, when the pats were going for # 16, thousands of people complained that Comast was charging $5 to watch the game. Then is ended up being on like 4 networks.

Again, just another reason to hate Comcast. I can't wait for FIOS!!!!!

We being in one of the home markets would have saw that game anyway. It was the rest of the country that was complaining because they would not have been able to see it until NFL Net had a change of heart and made it available to the other networks. The same rule applies to ESPN when the Pats are on Monday nights and thats why WCVB is able to broadcast those games as well. Comcast has really nothing to do with it.

But does anyone know if it will be in HD? The guide does not have it flagged as HD - which is a bit concerning...

It's been answered 3 times already, why do you keep asking?

There are like 10 history channels now in digital, but not HD.

Are you saying none are in HD? Around here (and most of MA) channel 872 is History HD.

We being in one of the home markets would have saw that game anyway. It was the rest of the country that was complaining because they would not have been able to see it until NFL Net had a change of heart and made it available to the other networks. The same rule applies to ESPN when the Pats are on Monday nights and thats why WCVB is able to broadcast those games as well. Comcast has really nothing to do with it.

They do by charging $5-$10 for the channel that most providers add in thier basic line-up.

They do by charging $5-$10 for the channel that most providers add in thier basic line-up.
1) Most providers do NOT offer it in the basic lineup. Just look at TWC, they don't have it at all.

2) Do you want to see your monthly rate increase?

1) Most providers do NOT offer it in the basic lineup. Just look at TWC, they don't have it at all.

2) Do you want to see your monthly rate increase?

I see my monthly rate go up every 6 months, now they are not even waiting 6 months. One in December and one in February.

For what, No new channels, Older DVRs with no features. Come on now, Please.

Customers are leaving, so the bottom line needs to stay the same. So rates go up we pay the difference. There is no competition around here, Cable is a monopoly, period.

Comcast keeps saying they add about 10,000 customers a month. Fine and dandy for them, but they loose about 15,000 a month.

Again, when Fios is offered here, I am leaving that day. I don't care if Comcast offerers me free services. Raise my bill twice a year, Have crap for HD channels and digital service. That is why I will leave, treat me bad now because you can.

There is no competition around here, Cable is a monopoly, period.

I never understand this phrase.

While many towns only have one cable company, there are generally alternatives/competition for the services they provide. A couple sat providers for TV are available throughout the country (some apartment complexes have restrictions, but believe it or not that's not the cable companies fault). Dsl available many areas for internet. Every town has a local phone provider; Verizon, AT&T, etc, or cell phones. People who say there's a monopoly just want to complain.

Yes we all hear that you're not happy with your current provider & are awaiting the supposed godsend called fios. This may surprise you, but some fios customers actually go back to cable, so it may not be the godsend that you or many others make it out to be. True it's a new alternative, but not always better.

What I tried to say was it HAS to be on a local channel also. It has to do with franchise rules or something like that. I am sure someone here knows the real terms.

Like last year, when the pats were going for # 16, thousands of people complained that Comast was charging $5 to watch the game. Then is ended up being on like 4 networks.

Again, just another reason to hate Comcast. I can't wait for FIOS!!!!!

Actually, NFL kept the rights to Thursday night games to force people to watch their flailing NFL Network channel. They also won't let cable/sat companies carry it without a pretty significant per subscriber charge. So Comcast and TWC opted not to put so a low value service on the special sports tiers to offset the cost of the service. NFL Network then did the Thursday night game thing. But last year's Game #16 was only done at the last minute by NFL allowing the locals to carry it.

Its a dustup between the cable companies and NFL. NFL wants to charge a high price to carry their NFL Network, and the cable companies don't want to foot the bill to carry such a low value network.

I never understand this phrase.

While many towns only have one cable company, there are generally alternatives/competition for the services they provide. A couple sat providers for TV are available throughout the country (some apartment complexes have restrictions, but believe it or not that's not the cable companies fault). Dsl available many areas for internet. Every town has a local phone provider; Verizon, AT&T, etc, or cell phones. People who say there's a monopoly just want to complain.

Yes we all hear that you're not happy with your current provider & are awaiting the supposed godsend called fios. This may surprise you, but some fios customers actually go back to cable, so it may not be the godsend that you or many others make it out to be. True it's a new alternative, but not always better.

I have Vonage and pay $19 and internet is not much either.

No dish here, we do not have SW clearing. Are far as a wired service to the house, Comcast is the only choice. FIOS has the same amount of channels, 3 times as many HD channels and costs $40 less a month for the same serives.

Actually, NFL kept the rights to Thursday night games to force people to watch their flailing NFL Network channel. They also won't let cable/sat companies carry it without a pretty significant per subscriber charge. So Comcast and TWC opted not to put so a low value service on the special sports tiers to offset the cost of the service. NFL Network then did the Thursday night game thing. But last year's Game #16 was only done at the last minute by NFL allowing the locals to carry it.

Its a dustup between the cable companies and NFL. NFL wants to charge a high price to carry their NFL Network, and the cable companies don't want to foot the bill to carry such a low value network.

WCVB had the rights for that game last year and we as a home market would have saw the game regardless of NFLN's decision. Again the same rules apply when they are on ESPN, a local station, usually WCVB has the rights to show these games because they bid on them to earn that exclusive local broadcast when it is only available on a cable network. It works the same in the home markets of whatever teams are playing on Thursday and Monday nights.

They do by charging $5-$10 for the channel that most providers add in thier basic line-up.

Wrong, it cost nothing to watch tonight's game. If you want to talk about other Thursday nights games, then that is a different story but you have only been talking about this game in which case Comcast has nothing to do with it because you get to see it anyway unless your not in the Boston DMA.

BTW I'm on the side of Comcast when it comes to this NFL channel. Screw them for trying to make money on games you could have seen before on other networks. If you want the channel, then dish out the money but don't try to pass it on to me because I want nothing to do with it and hope it fails. If the NFLN has it's way, the added cost would be past on to all which is not fair. Last I heard it was tied up in the appeals process in some state's supreme court. We might still end up paying for it after all so I'm hoping Comcast wins.

BTW I'm on the side of Comcast when it comes to this NFL channel. Screw them for trying to make money on games you could have seen before on other networks. If you want the channel, then dish out the money but don't try to pass it on to me because I want nothing to do with it and hope it fails. If the NFLN has it's way, the added cost would be past on to all which is not fair. Last I heard it was tied up in the appeals process in some state's supreme court. We might still end up paying for it after all so I'm hoping Comcast wins.
I am as well. I believe these channels belong in a sports tier, not on basic service driving up the cost for everyone. The demand for such a specialty sports channel is relatively low. To get these games, just add the Sports & Entertainment package for 2 months. That's under $20 a year and comes out to just under $2 a month to watch all of these games.

Not so simple. These are the most watched channels from the list that viewers already have. You may say that we can drop the channels at the bottom of the list (i.e., the complete list, not just the top 20). But, it's hard to tell which channels that we don't have should be added.Channels need not be added unless people watch the channel heavily. That list shows which channels people watch the most, i.e., which channels people care about the most.

While many towns only have one cable company, there are generally alternatives/competition for the services they provide. A couple sat providers for TV are available throughout the countryAbsolutely. There is effective competition in every practically single municipality in the country. And even despite that, legacy providers are still required to provide local broadcast channels at a dirt-cheap rate.

People who say there's a monopoly just want to complain.Precisely. It seems many simply want to own cable companies, without paying for them.

This may surprise you, but some fios customers actually go back to cable, so it may not be the godsend that you or many others make it out to be. True it's a new alternative, but not always better.I understand the billing is especially troublesome.

If you want the channel, then dish out the money but don't try to pass it on to meI agree. I'm especially puzzled when folks who are otherwise in favor of retail a la carte for cheap channels (which I'm not) complain about when they get a la carte for expensive channels (which I am in favor of!)

Channels need not be added unless people watch the channel heavily. That list shows which channels people watch the most, i.e., which channels people care about the most.

bicker, following your logic, no provider should ever add any new channels because people are not watching them (so they are not popular). Yea, people are not watching them because they are not available. I thought that my remark was stating the obvious. :confused:

Do any of the Comcast guys know if/when the local Eastern Mass offices will be getting the new Panasonic 2180's?

Mickey

Wrong, it cost nothing to watch tonight's game. If you want to talk about other Thursday nights games, then that is a different story but you have only been talking about this game in which case Comcast has nothing to do with it because you get to see it anyway unless your not in the Boston DMA.


The channel not the game. Come on now.

I am as well. I believe these channels belong in a sports tier, not on basic service driving up the cost for everyone. The demand for such a specialty sports channel is relatively low. To get these games, just add the Sports & Entertainment package for 2 months. That's under $20 a year and comes out to just under $2 a month to watch all of these games.

Agree completely. As it is now the Expanded tier is high enough and a good part of this is from the ESPN channels and NESN. I'm not sure of the complete breakdown of what each channel charges the cable company for carriage but I do know that the sports channels are at the top of the list. And they're channels very rarely turned on in my house.

The channel not the game. Come on now.


This was your original response pertaining to a question asked about just last nights game being in HD.


Yes, since comcast wants to charge for the NFL network. It has to do with local games, sold in local markets as long as it is sold out.

So you can see where confusion came in since that answer had nothing to do with the question and what I get out of it is your just a disgruntle Comcast subscriber looking to vent.

This was your original response pertaining to a question asked about just last nights game being in HD.




So you can see where confusion came in since that answer had nothing to do with the question and what I get out of it is your just a disgruntle Comcast subscriber looking to vent.

No, Read all my posts again. Nuf said! What, do you work for comcast?

No, Read all my posts again. Nuf said! What, do you work for comcast?

No, I don't but there are others that do. But if you are going to post things as fact, when they are not, expect to get called out on them as in the post I mentioned. Thats all!

No, I don't but there are others that do. But if you are going to post things as fact, when they are not, expect to get called out on them as in the post I mentioned. Thats all!

Again, Read. I did not say the charged for the game, but the network. FACT they charge for the NFL network, while Fios & DTV DO NOT.

You post was like butting into a conversation at the end. :rolleyes:

Again, Read. I did not say the charged for the game, but the network. FACT they charge for the NFL network, while Fios & DTV DO NOT.

You post was like butting into a conversation at the end. :rolleyes:

The fact that Comcast charges for the NFL network had nothing to do with the game being available in HD on WCVB last night. I already pointed that out
to you, your the one who seems to have their facts confused and I'm trying to lead you straight but it does not seem to have an affect. There is a NFL Network/ Comcast thread in the HD Programming forum, maybe you should visit there if you need more info in relation to this matter. ;)

...
FACT they charge for the NFL network, while Fios & DTV DO NOT.

..

All service providers pay for the NFL network, and in turn they charge their subscribers for it in one way or another.

right now comcast is the only deal in my town-bristol county- but lately all the surrounding towns are really pushing for Fios because comcast won't give us our Boston news channels in HD- we only get RI channels- which absolutely makes no sense. I for one will switch over when the time comes.
thetman

bicker, following your logic, no provider should ever add any new channels because people are not watching them (so they are not popular).No, that's really not part of my logic; not at all. The issue is what HD channels must a provider provide. Clearly, there is no imperative to provide every HD channel that every single subscriber wants. The channels a provider must provide are the channels that many subscribers want, i.e., the ones that are on the top of the list I've posted.

I hope that clears up the confusion.

right now comcast is the only deal in my town-bristol county- but lately all the surrounding towns are really pushing for Fios because comcast won't give us our Boston news channels in HD- we only get RI channels- which absolutely makes no sense. I for one will switch over when the time comes.
thetman

Sorry to burst your bubble, but when/if FIOS comes into your area, you still will only be able to get the RI channels. This whole channel issue is bigger than Comcast. The FCC is the one that set the DMAs & unfortunately you are not in it. Does it make sense no, but talk to the FCC.


*********
A Designated Market Area (DMA) is a group of counties in the United States that are covered by a specific group of television stations. The term was coined by Nielsen Media Research, and they control the trademark on it. There are 210 DMAs in the United States.

These market areas can also be used to define restrictions on rebroadcasting of broadcast television signals. Generally speaking, only stations within the same market area can be rebroadcast. The only exception to this rule is the "significantly viewed" list

Sorry to burst your bubble, but when/if FIOS comes into your area, you still will only be able to get the RI channels. This whole channel issue is bigger than Comcast. The FCC is the one that set the DMAs & unfortunately you are not in it. Does it make sense no, but talk to the FCC.


*********
A Designated Market Area (DMA) is a group of counties in the United States that are covered by a specific group of television stations. The term was coined by Nielsen Media Research, and they control the trademark on it. There are 210 DMAs in the United States.

These market areas can also be used to define restrictions on rebroadcasting of broadcast television signals. Generally speaking, only stations within the same market area can be rebroadcast. The only exception to this rule is the "significantly viewed" list


Hummm, Because it is funny. Just one town over, The HD channels and picture quality are 10 times better. The channel line up is better, more channels are offered and did I mention a better picture quality with a least 50 more channels in HD, even if it is "fake" hd, it be better than comcast's version of SD?

So, please, comcast tech. Keep justifing your old outdated systems.

Power to the people. Comcast will fall, in 5 years. Remember this thread.

771 HBO Signature HD
772 HBO Family HD
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More Max HD
777 Action Max HD
778 5 Star Max HD
779 Thriller Max HD
780 Cinemax West HD
781 @Max HD
782 Outer Max HD
788 Lifetime Move Network HD
871 HBO Plus HD
879 Showcase HD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
884 TMC Xtra HD

No sign of HDnet or HDnet Movies. It's kinda annoying how the HBO and Cinemax channels aren't grouped together.

771 HBO Signature HD
772 HBO Family HD
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More Max HD
777 Action Max HD
778 5 Star Max HD
779 Thriller Max HD
780 Cinemax West HD
781 @Max HD
782 Outer Max HD
788 Lifetime Move Network HD
871 HBO Plus HD
879 Showcase HD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
884 TMC Xtra HD

No sign of HDnet or HDnet Movies. It's kinda annoying how the HBO and Cinemax channels aren't grouped together.



I can't believe that Comcast has added all these channels for the Boston market. I live in Chicago & we still don't have The Movie Channel HD & Showtime 2 HD. So far how many HD channels are in the Boston market?

Hummm, Because it is funny. Just one town over, The HD channels and picture quality are 10 times better. The channel line up is better, more channels are offered and did I mention a better picture quality with a least 50 more channels in HD, even if it is "fake" hd, it be better than comcast's version of SD?

So, please, comcast tech. Keep justifing your old outdated systems.

Power to the people. Comcast will fall, in 5 years. Remember this thread.

Do you work for Fios or just a fanboy?

Interesting discussion going on in the Boston - OTA thread. There has been some question about why Comcast might be leaving a few channel slots unused... the discussion got me to thinking that perhaps it is because, come February 2009, Comcast will be forced to carry a few more HD signals, for OTA channels for which they're only carrying SD signals now.

perhaps (...) Comcast will be forced to carry a few more HD signals, for OTA channels for which they're only carrying SD signals now.For example?

WENH-HD, specifically.

Do you work for Fios or just a fanboy?

I am retired, thanks. :)

Does anyone know when the Boston market will be ready to support the tru2way platform?

Interesting discussion going on in the Boston - OTA thread. There has been some question about why Comcast might be leaving a few channel slots unused... the discussion got me to thinking that perhaps it is because, come February 2009, Comcast will be forced to carry a few more HD signals, for OTA channels for which they're only carrying SD signals now.

That may be a reason why ION-TV is waiting til Feb 2009 to go HD.

If a must carry signal is in HD cable MUST CARRY it IN HD!

Must-carrys that Comcast are not carrying right now include WMUR and WENH (tho they do carry analog WENH). I don't know how they get away with not carrying WMUR, other than they are owned by WCVB, which may not want their being carried in the Boston market to dilute the WCVB ratings.

Must-carrys that Comcast are not carrying right now include WMUR and WENH (tho they do carry analog WENH). I don't know how they get away with not carrying WMUR, other than they are owned by WCVB, which may not want their being carried in the Boston market to dilute the WCVB ratings.

Actually WMUR is retransmission consent.

Actually WMUR is retransmission consent.

Sorry, but I don't know what that means...

... It means that Hearst has elected to receive payment from cable companies for its WMUR broadcast, giving the cable companies the right to determine whether or not to include it on they line-ups. As long as the channel remained must-carry, then the cable companies within the DMA were compelled to carry one of its signals (probably the analog signal, for now). However, once the owner of the channel elects retransmission consent, then the cable company has the option to determine whether or not to offer the channel.

I was at my friends apartment in Boston proper and I was astounded at the number of HD channels he had. I feel like its probably double what we have in the burbs with all those movie channels. Figures they just added them the day I visited.

I was at my friends apartment in Boston proper and I was astounded at the number of HD channels he had. I feel like its probably double what we have in the burbs with all those movie channels. Figures they just added them the day I visited.

Boston should be nearing 100 HDs by now.

Boston should be nearing 100 HDs by now.

Wow, one city over and we only have 35. Is FIOS available in Boston Proper?

Wow, one city over and we only have 35. Is FIOS available in Boston Proper?

Wow, you just can't let it go can you? Had you been here awhile you would know that Boston has all the extra bandwidth because its both an 860mhz system and nearly all of its B2 channels are digital only. Cablevision required a box for all B2s since they scrambled them in analog. Eventually AT&T and then Comcast phased out all of the analog boxes and went digital only. So they have plenty of bandwidth for HDs.

Have had the tivo software on my two moto boxes since it became available here..was it January??? I put up with some of the earlier bugs and was actually quite happy with the service compared to the standard comcast dvr software. Noticed last month a problem with a ppv order...was a ufc event and I called and ordered it that Saturday morning and was told it would be on both boxes. The event starts at 9:30 and I noticed at about 9:45 that neither box was getting the fight. Was on hold for most of the event and was told to reboot both machines and they would eventually come on. It in fact came on my dch box but not my older dct machine. Ok, figured it was a glitch and they didn't charge me for the event. Started noticing around that time that when I went to on demand it would show me the previews but when I selected something it would hang and I would get an error about it being unavailable. Would then immediately go right back into it and it worked fine..this occurred on both boxes. So, last night was another ufc event and I called in during the morning to order it. Again, it never kicked on and was told to reboot both machines. On my older dct machine it came on and was recording the event. My dch machine went into the constant rebooting that occurred before one of the latest firmware updates that fixed the flashing 8888. Box was shot and figured I would have to swap it out on Monday. I went back to the event and was watching it and as it was ending I was dozing off but started to notice the front of my box was putting codes up...like it was downloading an update. Fell asleep and didn't bother to pay attention. This morning the box was stuck at db 01 and the screen said welcome, starting up. Its been stuck there since no matter how many times I unplug it and start over. Unlike the past, though, when I plug the box back the front of it says 0 and then goes right to db 01 and the welcome screen..no other codes. So, I am without cable tv on either machine and they said they would come out tomorrow.
The reason for this long missive...does anyone have any idea what might have caused both boxes to basically stop functioning at the same time? I did notice a few minutes ago that my dch box has stopped rebooting every 10 seconds and I can change channels and watch tv..but there is no dvr functionality. Last night, the tech I was speaking with kept telling me he was trying to remove tivo from my box and then have it reinstall. Sounds kind of fishy to me. Are both boxes lost or could it be something they could fix when checking the lines or the pole? Could this be the result of the bad winds last night?
Thanks for letting me vent.

Wow, you just can't let it go can you? Had you been here awhile you would know that Boston has all the extra bandwidth because its both an 860mhz system and nearly all of its B2 channels are digital only. Cablevision required a box for all B2s since they scrambled them in analog. Eventually AT&T and then Comcast phased out all of the analog boxes and went digital only. So they have plenty of bandwidth for HDs.

I will never let it go. I just goes to show Comcrap can't handle it. But guess what, FIOS can. I am willing to bet that Comcrap is cheaper in Boston than it is in the surrounding areas that do not have FIOS.

Comcast has been in my city for over 10 years. It was Media One before that. 10 Years and we still have basicly the same service, just the equipment has changed. And oh yeah my bill.

I had the $99 bundle, which comes with nothing. Now I am paying $179 for 2 services. Cable and Internet.

Oh well.

I will never let it go. I just goes to show Comcrap can't handle it. But guess what, FIOS can. I am willing to bet that Comcrap is cheaper in Boston than it is in the surrounding areas that do not have FIOS.

Comcast has been in my city for over 10 years. It was Media One before that. 10 Years and we still have basicly the same service, just the equipment has changed. And oh yeah my bill.

I had the $99 bundle, which comes with nothing. Now I am paying $179 for 2 services. Cable and Internet.

Oh well.

I don't know why I keep responding. Maybe I'm looking for a fight. Maybe I like to think that the guy on the other end that keeps ranting about "Comcrap" is some guy breaking out into a sweat and turning beat red anytime someone uses logic to actually try and help the poor guy understand how the world works. Then again, maybe I'm just a cynical a$$ that really likes to antagonize. Gotta love free speech and the semi-anonymity of the internet.

I don't know why I keep responding. Maybe I'm looking for a fight. Maybe I like to think that the guy on the other end that keeps ranting about "Comcrap" is some guy breaking out into a sweat and turning beat red anytime someone uses logic to actually try and help the poor guy understand how the world works. Then again, maybe I'm just a cynical a$$ that really likes to antagonize. Gotta love free speech and the semi-anonymity of the internet.

:cool:

The reality is that things are as they are because that's the way they should be. We have FiOS here, and we don't have any better service from Comcast as a result, and the only reason why FiOS offers more is beacuse they're desperate to gain market share and so outperforming and underselling the incumbent. That will last only as long as FiOS is far behind. Folks who think that Verizon will be anything other than what Verizon always has been, i.e., folks who think Verizon will be anything better than the incumbent, once FiOS has comparable market share to the incumbent, is deluding themselves.

The reality is that things are as they are because that's the way they should be. We have FiOS here, and we don't have any better service from Comcast as a result, and the only reason why FiOS offers more is beacuse they're desperate to gain market share and so outperforming and underselling the incumbent. That will last only as long as FiOS is far behind. Folks who think that Verizon will be anything other than what Verizon always has been, i.e., folks who think Verizon will be anything better than the incumbent, once FiOS has comparable market share to the incumbent, is deluding themselves.

Then someone else will come in and make Verizon be better, just like FIOS is doing to Comcast. Cable has had a bad rap for 30 years. It has a bad CS cloud hanging over it. It is hard to shake that.

Then someone else will come in and make Verizon be better, just like FIOS is doing to Comcast. Cable has had a bad rap for 30 years. It has a bad CS cloud hanging over it. It is hard to shake that.

The only affect Fios has had with Comcast is in the price dept where they are underselling them to gain new subscribers. Comcast has had to change as technology has changed in order to provide their subs with such things as digital and HD PQ along with HSI services. And don't think for a minute that Comcast has not cut into Verizon's base of telephone customers, cause it has. The sat co"s. pose more competition than Fios because it is available to a much larger segment of the population so your statement that Fios is the one leading the charge to make Comcast better is not accurate.

IN Bristol County , comcast will probably add WSBE-DT the RI PBS affilate in HD on 2/19/2009. It looks like only the new split GOLF and VS HD will be the only adds we will see in the burbs until Comcast drops more analogs.

771 HBO Signature HD
772 HBO Family HD
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More Max HD
777 Action Max HD
778 5 Star Max HD
779 Thriller Max HD
780 Cinemax West HD
781 @Max HD
782 Outer Max HD
788 Lifetime Move Network HD
871 HBO Plus HD
879 Showcase HD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
884 TMC Xtra HD

No sign of HDnet or HDnet Movies. It's kinda annoying how the HBO and Cinemax channels aren't grouped together.

So these are just being added in Boston proper and not Metro? Does anyone have any idea when Metrowest will catch up?

IN Bristol County , comcast will probably add WSBE-DT the RI PBS affilate in HD on 2/19/2009. It looks like only the new split GOLF and VS HD will be the only adds we will see in the burbs until Comcast drops more analogs.


We have had gold for a while now. What else is coming?

So these are just being added in Boston proper and not Metro? Does anyone have any idea when Metrowest will catch up?

Not until they decide what to do with expanded basic on all the other systems. I would guess it will be a very slow process and who gets what first, only Comcast has that answer.

The reality is that things are as they are because that's the way they should be. We have FiOS here, and we don't have any better service from Comcast as a result, and the only reason why FiOS offers more is beacuse they're desperate to gain market share and so outperforming and underselling the incumbent. That will last only as long as FiOS is far behind. Folks who think that Verizon will be anything other than what Verizon always has been, i.e., folks who think Verizon will be anything better than the incumbent, once FiOS has comparable market share to the incumbent, is deluding themselves.

I do not believe you would be saying that if fios was available to you.

Then someone else will come in and make Verizon be better, just like FIOS is doing to Comcast. Cable has had a bad rap for 30 years. Perhaps 30 years from now someone else will come in and make Verizon be better.

The reality is that things are as they are because that's the way they should be. We have FiOS here, and we don't have any better service from Comcast as a result, and the only reason why FiOS offers more is beacuse they're desperate to gain market share and so outperforming and underselling the incumbent. That will last only as long as FiOS is far behind. Folks who think that Verizon will be anything other than what Verizon always has been, i.e., folks who think Verizon will be anything better than the incumbent, once FiOS has comparable market share to the incumbent, is deluding themselves.I do not believe you would be saying that if fios was available to you.You'd be wrong. I write what I write based on my understanding, experience and reason. I don't write strictly from the standpoint of my own exclusive, personal interest.

BTW, FiOS ran new conduit through three townhouse buildings on my block, including mine, leaving three more townhouse buildings and a dozen apartment buildings still without adequate conduit to support FiOS service. I don't know if they actually ran fiber the 35 feet through the new conduit to the distribution point for service to my building, or not. I haven't heard from them about it. I'm not sure if they're going to wait until they run new conduit to all six townhouse buildings, or all six townhouse buildings plus the dozen apartment buildings, before they start running fiber from the street to the buildings themselves. (For those joining the story late, the fiber was run down the block in August 2006. All that Verizon needs to do to offer us FiOS service is to run the fiber these last 35 feet.)

FoxNCHD and FXHD now live in East Bridgewater Comcast. Channel #'s are 841 and 830.

FoxNCHD and FXHD now live in East Bridgewater Comcast. Channel #'s are 841 and 830.

Yup these channels are live in Chelmsford, MA as well.

Bicker1 will be happy that he finally has FX in HD. Neither of these channels do anything for me.

-Ken

The reality is that things are as they are because that's the way they should be. We have FiOS here, and we don't have any better service from Comcast as a result, and the only reason why FiOS offers more is beacuse they're desperate to gain market share and so outperforming and underselling the incumbent. That will last only as long as FiOS is far behind. Folks who think that Verizon will be anything other than what Verizon always has been, i.e., folks who think Verizon will be anything better than the incumbent, once FiOS has comparable market share to the incumbent, is deluding themselves.

Hi Bicker1,

You seem to be stating an absolute. That when two competitors have equal market share they won't compete on price.

Are you saying that Comcast's profit margins are so thin there's no way they'll ever lower their fees to compete with FiOS even when there is equal market share?

Or are you thinking that they'll always compete based on features rather than price?

Or is there an assumption that Verizon and Comcast will collude in order to avoid competing?

Or...?

Thanks.

Not until they decide what to do with expanded basic on all the other systems. I would guess it will be a very slow process and who gets what first, only Comcast has that answer.

Wow. FIOS currently offers 102 HD channels in my market and I have less than half of that with Comcast currently. I have been holding out (partly due to laziness hoping Comcast will catch up, the fact that I am just too busy to think about it and also the good stuff (StarWars!)on my DVR), but I am not sure I am willing to wait indefinitely.

Bicker1 will be happy that he finally has FX in HD.The real key, for me, now, will be whether or not they're going to repeat all of this last season of The Shield at some point.

You seem to be stating an absolute. That when two competitors have equal market share they won't compete on price.No, I didn't say that at all. :shrug:

Comcast is already competing on price with DirecTV and Dish Network. The point is that Verizon is a new entrant to the market, and is underselling to gain market share. Once they have market share, they'll have no reason to undersell their competition, and instead they'll start focusing on satisfying their primary obligation, providing return to their owners. That's the normal business cycle: Build, then capitalize on what you've built.

Are you saying that Comcast's profit margins are so thin there's no way they'll ever lower their fees to compete with FiOS even when there is equal market share?No, I'm saying that once Verizon has substantial market share, they'll raise their fees as a reflection of their responsibilities to their shareholders, charging what their services are worth rather than some amount less.

The real key, for me, now, will be whether or not they're going to repeat all of this last season of The Shield at some point.Is The Shield in HD? What other FX shows are in HD? What about Sunny?

I don't know about The Shield, but Always Sunny in Philadelphia still isn't filmed in HD.

To be honest, I think FX HD is a waste of a channel, considering they edit the @#&^ out of the movies they air, as well as speed up certain scenes (which looks HORRIBLE on HD movies). Then again, every other non-premium movie channel does this nowadays, too. I can't stand it though. We are effectively paying USA, TNT, FX...etc. to make their movies unwatchable.

I wish there were a package that only included locals, sports & premiums. Then I'd be happy!

Is The Shield in HD? What other FX shows are in HD? What about Sunny?

Most new shows a recorded in HD. Sunny is on-demand in HD so is Testees and SOA.

But we do not have FXHD here, but we can get the shows in OD-HD ???

Most new shows a recorded in HD. Sunny is on-demand in HD so is Testees and SOA.

But we do not have FXHD here, but we can get the shows in OD-HD ???


Sunny claims to be "HD" on the on-demand menu, but it's really just 480p SD. It's shown (both on the HD on-demand menu as well as on FX HD) in 4:3, not 16:9...so I really doubt it was filmed in HD.

On Comcast bill I got this week,WYDN Worchester will be moved to 295 digital from 23 analog in my town. First OTA Ive seen moved off analog.Also, MOjo gone 12/1.

I wish there were a package that only included locals, sports & premiums. Then I'd be happy!

Cosign.

On Comcast bill I got this week,WYDN Worchester will be moved to 295 digital from 23 analog in my town. First OTA Ive seen moved off analog.Also, MOjo gone 12/1.

I'm not sure if they can do that. ch 48 is a MUST carry and they have to continue to provide it in analog until 2012.

Its going up $3.00, New price $13.95

Even though it isn't explained clearly, it looks like Digital Preferred is being merged into Digital Classic. This image is from the bill I received today.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3041992580_08ba35cc38_o.png

Does anyone have details on the Digital Economy package? Is it a renaming of the old Family Tier? I can't find any information on the Comcast channel lineup page for my area, but it is listed for Fort Wayne, Indiana (http://www.comcast.com/customers/clu/ChannelLineup.ashx?print=1&CGID=2440).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/3041202151_3cda5862aa_o.jpg

Even though it isn't explained clearly, it looks like Digital Preferred is being merged into Digital Classic. This image is from the bill I received today.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3041992580_08ba35cc38_o.png

Well that's great. Raise the price for those that didn't even want those channels in the first place. I'm bringing my boxes back to Comcast today, and bumping down to "basic" and using clear QAM, online from various sources, and HD Purchases from Apple. I'm tired of all this crap.

Like people have said FX HD and Fox News is also live here in Attleboro, MA.

Being greedy here, but still waiting for NHL Network. They do have quite a bit of live hockey programming in HD, according to my buddies in Cumberland, RI on Cox.

I'm not sure if they can do that. ch 48 is a MUST carry and they have to continue to provide it in analog until 2012.

Its up to the broadcaster. If Comcast worked out a deal with WYDN to carry in digital only in favor of some other concessions then the broadcaster is within their rights to make that agreement.

Does anyone have details on the Digital Economy package? Is it a renaming of the old Family Tier? I can't find any information on the Comcast channel lineup page for my area, but it is listed for Fort Wayne, Indiana (http://www.comcast.com/customers/clu/ChannelLineup.ashx?print=1&CGID=2440).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/3041202151_3cda5862aa_o.jpg

Digital Economy is Basic Cable (i.e. locals & public access) plus these channels, you also get their HD counterparts

A&E
AMC
Animal Planet
Cartoon
CNN
Comedy
Discovery
Disney
E!
Food
Fox News
Hallmark
History
Lifetime
Music Choice
Spike
Tru Tv
TV Land
USA
C-SPAN
C-SPAN 2
EWTN
HSN
QVC
TWC
BCTV

Digital Economy is Basic Cable (i.e. locals & public access) plus these channels, you also get their HD counterparts

A&E
AMC...


Thanks, L Supreme, for the info.

Today I decided to remove Digital Classic because of the price hike and something interesting but not surprising happen in the process.

The last prompt ask you to press 1 to add to your service or 2 to remove. So I pressed 2 and after a long pause I got a recorded message saying that something when wrong and I should try again later:rolleyes: I called a second time and this time when I pressed option 2 I got a message saying that the office is close and I should call during normal office hours:rolleyes: The bill says "Call 24 Hours a Day, 7 days a week.":eek: So I tried a third time but instead of option 2 I went with option 1, add to your service. As I expected a got transfered to a CSR right way with not delay.

Comcast never fails to surprise me.

the two new channels are live here on the cape. the shield does not appear to be in hd.

the two new channels are live here on the cape. the shield does not appear to be in hd.

Yea! 2 more channels with hardly any HD on them. Just like many of the recent additions. Yet I still have to wait for The Weather Channel which IS mostly in HD. These are frustrating times for HD fans when many of these channels are impostors and represent a waste of bandwidth most of the time.

Yet I still have to wait for The Weather Channel which IS mostly in HD. (...) these channels represent a waste of bandwidth (...)All a matter of opinion. Personally, I think The Weather Channel HD would be a terrible waste of bandwidth, no matter that the majority of programming would be in HD. Content is king and I can learn about the weather perfectly well in SD.

If content is indeed king, I'd prefer the 24-7 HD content of The Weather Channel to many of the current offerings. One man's trash...

Yea! 2 more channels with hardly any HD on them. Just like many of the recent additions. Yet I still have to wait for The Weather Channel which IS mostly in HD. These are frustrating times for HD fans when many of these channels are impostors and represent a waste of bandwidth most of the time.

Unfortunately there are a lot of HD channels with little decent HD content on them. I'd have to guess this is why Comcast is so big on their advertising of all their HD content, not channels per say, but actual HD programming on OnDemand. Not the same waste of bandwidth that way. Would be nice if there was more HD content from the local networks on there instead of just CBS & a few others sprinkled in though.

Quickie - Does LIFETIME have an HD on Comcast? I know there's a Lifetime Movie Network, but can't even find LIFETIME on Digital..

Today I decided to remove Digital Classic because of the price hike and something interesting but not surprising happen in the process.

The last prompt ask you to press 1 to add to your service or 2 to remove. So I pressed 2 and after a long pause I got a recorded message saying that something when wrong and I should try again later:rolleyes: I called a second time and this time when I pressed option 2 I got a message saying that the office is close and I should call during normal office hours:rolleyes: The bill says "Call 24 Hours a Day, 7 days a week.":eek: So I tried a third time but instead of option 2 I went with option 1, add to your service. As I expected a got transfered to a CSR right way with not delay.

Comcast never fails to surprise me.

funny you mention this, it happened to me the other night while i was trying to do the exact same thing!

called up, attempted to change - office is closed. went online and talked to a rep, was told they are open 24/7. dialed again, tried a different extension, nobody home. went online again, complained about how I wasn't getting anywhere and they did it for me right then and there... Still had all the channels a day later, went back online to verify. yup, everything is OK. Phone rings 5 minutes later, its Comcast - online chat forgot to book an appointment for me because apparently you need a truck roll to change your service when going back to basic - even though all you need to do is return the equipment!

is there ANY actual HD on foxnews HD?

is there ANY actual HD on foxnews HD?

The question should actually be: Is there any actual news on Foxnews HD?

... online chat forgot to book an appointment for me because apparently you need a truck roll to change your service when going back to basic - even though all you need to do is return the equipment!

Isn't "BASIC" just channels 1 - 25 (and their HD equivalents) which is controlled by the box OUTSIDE your building?

I think they need the truck roll to stop you getting channels 26 - 100 (which is "Expanded") without a box.

is there ANY actual HD on foxnews HD?

The only one I have seen is the FOX Report with Shepard Smith between 7-8 pm.

Isn't "BASIC" just channels 1 - 25 (and their HD equivalents) which is controlled by the box OUTSIDE your building?

I think they need the truck roll to stop you getting channels 26 - 100 (which is "Expanded") without a box.

Correct, they must put the old filter back in place.

Here's the Boston HD list as I've compiled it...folks at work didn't believe the number of channels we had so I decided to pull it together. I posted it in the Comcast thread as well.

771 HBO HD
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
785 Encore HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Versus /Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
881 Mojo
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

Note that HBO HD is duplicated at 870 and 771 right now, so it looks like the total is 80. Randomly, in looking at the Comcast channel guide, 887 is showing as the Travel Channel already so another may be on the way.

Note that HBO HD is duplicated at 870 and 771 right now. I don't think they're duplicates. On my TiVo, 771 is listed as HBO Signature HD, and 870 is HBO HD.

Spots are already mapped out for us when bandwidth is made available in the burbs. With one analog channel going in Dec, which 3 will be added from the list above? Also which channel will replace MoJO on 12/1?
Chitchat, I bet the deal that WYDN-daystar got from Comcast is to be on all Eastern Mass and NH systems which I bet will be a bigger footprint than their OTA foot print.

For our Providence DMA Comcast viewers:
802 WGBH-DT (PBS HD)
805 WCVB-dt (ABC-HD)
806 WLNE-DT(ABC-HD)
810 WJAR-DT (NBC-HD)
811 WNAC-DT (FOX HD)
812 WPRI-DT (CBS -HD)
813 WLWC-DT (CW-HD)
838 WSBK-DT (IND.)

Any news if NHL HD coming north of Boston

Spots are already mapped out for us when bandwidth is made available in the burbs.

The question is WHEN will bandwidth be available? Being so close to the people who have 80 channels is frustrating, especially when I can always switch to FIOS and get 102 channels in my town. Is there any idea as to when the expansion will take place?

Spots are already mapped out for us when bandwidth is made available in the burbs. With one analog channel going in Dec, which 3 will be added from the list above? Also which channel will replace MoJO on 12/1?
Chitchat, I bet the deal that WYDN-daystar got from Comcast is to be on all Eastern Mass and NH systems which I bet will be a bigger footprint than their OTA foot print.

Here in Chelmsford, analog channel 3 is still showing a test pattern. Analog channel 66 is still showing a message saying hallmark has moved to digital. So there is room for more unless they are using these for DOCSIS 3.0.

-Ken

Any news if NHL HD coming north of Boston

or south of Boston?

Also I'm in the Providence DMA and we don't get 838 as was previously mentioned above.

here's the boston hd list as i've compiled it...folks at work didn't believe the number of channels we had so i decided to pull it together. I posted it in the comcast thread as well.

771 hbo hd
772 hbo family hd east
773 hbo latino hd
774 hbo comedy hd
775 hbo zone hd
776 more max hd
777 actionmax hd
778 5 star max hd
779 thrillermax hd
780 wmax hd
781 @maxhd
782 outermax hd
785 encore hd
788 lifetime movie network hd
789 fox business news hd
790 hallmark movies hd
791 qvc hd
792 toon disney hd
793 fuse hd
794 bravo hd
795 cnbc hd
796 espn news hd
797 biography hd
798 ifc hd
799 women's entertainment (we) hd
802 wgbh hd (pbs hd)
804 wbz-dt boston (cbs-hd)
805 wcvb-dt boston (abc-hd)
806 wfxt-dt boston (fox-hd)
807 whdh-dt boston (nbc-hd)
808 wlvi-dt boston (cw-hd)
814 wsbk-dt boston
815 planet green hd
819 mgm hd
821 national geo hd
822 nhl hd
823 discovery hd
824 disney hd
826 abc family hd
828 palladia hd
830 fx hd
831 tbs hd
832 hgtv hd
833 tnt hd
834 e! Hd
835 usa hd
837 a&e hd
839 hd theatre
841 fox new channel hd
842 cnn hd
846 universal hd
847 the weather channel hd
848 versus /golf hd
849 espn hd
850 espn 2 hd
851 nesn hd
852 comcast sportsnet ne hd
853 nfl network hd
854 food hd
859 amc hd
860 cartoon network
862 scifi channel hd
863 animal planet hd
866 science channel hd
867 tlc hd
868 cinemax hd
870 hbo hd
871 hbo2 hd
872 history hd
873 starz! Edge hd
874 starz! Kids & family hd
875 starz! Hd hd
876 starz! Comedy hd
877 showtime hd
878 showtime too hd
879 shocd
880 showtime extreme hd
881 mojo
883 the movie channel hd
884 the movie channel 2 hd
885 big 10 network hd

note that hbo hd is duplicated at 870 and 771 right now, so it looks like the total is 80. Randomly, in looking at the comcast channel guide, 887 is showing as the travel channel already so another may be on the way.

wow!

wow!
They may have 80+ HD Channels in Boston, but we have 1,000 HD Choices out here in the Burbs! So we have that going for us.

Mickey

Here's the Boston HD list as I've compiled it...folks at work didn't believe the number of channels we had so I decided to pull it together. I posted it in the Comcast thread as well.


Note that HBO HD is duplicated at 870 and 771 right now, so it looks like the total is 80. Randomly, in looking at the Comcast channel guide, 887 is showing as the Travel Channel already so another may be on the way.

I realize why this is possible in Boston & not the rest of MA, but it's not fair! LOL Such a tease & only a few towns away! I know it's because so many people want to hold on to all their analog channels & not need boxes, but come on people! Get with the times & technology!

Also which channel will replace MoJO on 12/1?

Isn't the Versus/Golf Channel split supposed to take up that slot?

I just canceled the digital classic package because of the price hike, and I don't watch any of those channels anyway. I looked at the channel lineup on the website and it said the only HD channel I'd be losing was NG HD, which I can live with. When I called, the lady I spoke with told me that I'd be losing all my HD channels in the 800s. I was a bit incredulous and informed her that's not, in fact, what the website said.

She replied oh, well, you'll still get fox/abc/cbs/nbc. I said no, the website says the only channel I will lose is NG HD. She then got a bit testy and said I understand what you are saying, I'm just saying your level of service will be lower than it is today. The whole exchange just felt really dishonest - she was really trying to convince me I'd get no HD service without digital classic!

So did you switch down to Digital Starter?

So did you switch down to Digital Starter?

No, I dropped down to "standard cable."

So you don't have a digital package any longer. That has some other impacts, especially on pricing. Be aware of that. Also, note that HD channels are secured using the approved separable security mechanisms, i.e., CableCARD, rather than by traps, in many areas.

I just canceled the digital classic package because of the price hike, and I don't watch any of those channels anyway. I looked at the channel lineup on the website and it said the only HD channel I'd be losing was NG HD, which I can live with. When I called, the lady I spoke with told me that I'd be losing all my HD channels in the 800s. I was a bit incredulous and informed her that's not, in fact, what the website said.

She replied oh, well, you'll still get fox/abc/cbs/nbc. I said no, the website says the only channel I will lose is NG HD. She then got a bit testy and said I understand what you are saying, I'm just saying your level of service will be lower than it is today. The whole exchange just felt really dishonest - she was really trying to convince me I'd get no HD service without digital classic!
It sucks for you that she was right.

With the new price hikes I was thinking of dropping this tier (my package includes digitial starter but I pay extra for preferred).

If I dropped this, does anyone know what HD channels would be lost (in Boston)? I looked on Comcast's website, above 800 it looks like only NGC would go away, but they don't currently list the HD channels between 750 and 800 on the website...

Thanks!

It sucks for you that she was right.

No you and her are wrong. I did the something and only lost two channels.

So you don't have a digital package any longer. That has some other impacts, especially on pricing. Be aware of that. Also, note that HD channels are secured using the approved separable security mechanisms, i.e., CableCARD, rather than by traps, in many areas.One more note on this: It did take a few billing cycles before the change was reflected in the actual billing. I even got the billing change reversed a couple of times, but it was just one-month fixes. And eventually they realized what was going on and stopped reversing the charge each month.

No you and her are wrong. I did the something and only lost two channels.
Did you return your boxes? Standard cable is analog service and does not have digital boxes. You will not be able to get any HD channels outside of the local channels without a digital box.

Did you return your boxes? Standard cable is analog service and does not have digital boxes. You will not be able to get any HD channels outside of the local channels without a digital box.

I think your talking too two different people, either way they both sound like they have digital starter. But the CSR is incorrect saying they would not get any HD by downgrading because even with only basic you can still get the locals in HD like you mentioned so she sounds like she is mis-informed!

No, one of the two, at least, said explicitly that they dropped down to Standard Cable, not Digital Starter.

No, one of the two, at least, said explicitly that they dropped down to Standard Cable, not Digital Starter.
Yes josecuervo said he dropped to standard cable. If rveras did the same thing, he too has standard cable, not a digital package.

Yes josecuervo said he dropped to standard cable. If rveras did the same thing, he too has standard cable, not a digital package.

I think you guys are nitpicking. Digital Stater IS standard cable only with a box. I could be mistaken but I think that is what they are trying to say. In any case Comcast has always been known to confuse their subs with the constant changing of the names of their packages and configurations.

Digital Starter costs $1.99 more than Standard Cable. So, no, they're not the same service, and it isn't nitpicking. It actually makes a difference with regard to what is actually being discussed, i.e., the pricing on CableCARDs.

By the way, I have Digital Starter and I don't have a cable box. (That is nitpicking.)

Digital Starter costs $1.99 more than Standard Cable. So, no, they're not the same service, and it isn't nitpicking. It actually makes a difference with regard to what is actually being discussed, i.e., the pricing on CableCARDs.

By the way, I have Digital Starter and I don't have a cable box. (That is nitpicking.)

You don't have a box but do have a cablecard. that is nice to know bicker. I don't think either one of them was discussing hardware but maybe my reading comprehension skills are not as good as they used to be. Anyway what I got from it was that they only lost 2 HD channels which says to me they only downgraded to Digital Starter but what do I know. Oh. BTW I have a CableCard too! :D

Did you return your boxes? Standard cable is analog service and does not have digital boxes. You will not be able to get any HD channels outside of the local channels without a digital box.

No, kept my HD digital box.

I think you guys are nitpicking. Digital Stater IS standard cable only with a box. I could be mistaken but I think that is what they are trying to say. In any case Comcast has always been known to confuse their subs with the constant changing of the names of their packages and configurations.

Not quite. Digital starter gives you the HD versions of most of the Standard cable offerings--ESPN, NESN, TBS, etc. (all non-premiums except NGeo, I think); as well as On Demand.

With Standard Cable, only the HD versions of the local/OTAs are received.

Not quite. Digital starter gives you the HD versions of most of the Standard cable offerings--ESPN, NESN, TBS, etc. (all non-premiums except NGeo, I think); as well as On Demand.

With Standard Cable, only the HD versions of the local/OTAs are received.

See my post above.

So to summarize....

josecuervo says he dropped to "standard cable", which if true, means he returned his digital boxes and is now receiving only the broadcast nets in HD. (He hasn't posted since, so we don't know for sure.)

rveras claims he "did the same thing" and only lost 2 HD channels, but it's more likely he only dropped from Digital Classic to Digital Starter (he admits he kept his digital box), which as Lodef points out, gets him the HD versions of many other cable nets (ESPN, TBS, etc.).

Lodef and bicker1 actually agree on something - that they both have CableCards.

Now back to our regular programming....

What is the cost difference between Digital Classic and Digital Starter?

What is the cost difference between Digital Classic and Digital Starter?

As of December 1, Digital Classic is $13.95 added onto Basic Cable, Standard Cable, or Digital Starter.

In my neighborhood, Standard Cable is $57.54 and digital Starter is $61.49

As of December 1, Digital Classic is $13.95 added onto Basic Cable, Standard Cable, or Digital Starter.

In my neighborhood, Standard Cable is $57.54 and digital Starter is $61.49

Looks like according to this article that Comcast will be doing away with Standard cable, I guess this is the first step in getting everyone to go over to digital in our area.

Despite Verizon Gains, Comcast Raises Rates

Bob Wallace
11/24/2008

Though Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has rapidly expanded its FiOS TV service area in Greater Boston, Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) has decided to increase its rates for virtually everything TV-related starting Dec. 1 or Feb. 1, and has stopped selling Standard Cable.

The nearly across-the-board increases cover everything from subscription TV monthly rates and equipment installations to customer trouble calls and the cost per hour of technician time. To be fair, a very few items are reduced a minimal amount.

Claiming in its most recent monthly bill to its customers, Comcast claims “it’s investing more than any other time in our 45 year history to hire, train and give our employees the tools they need to serve you better.”

Comcast’s CEO acknowledged the need to improve customer service in a conference keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show this past January, but made no mention of associated costs for it, nor its customers in any region.

The cable giant added: “While we continue to make these investments, Comcast, like many other companies, is experiencing increased business and operational costs from today’s challenging economic environment,” said Peter D’Arcangelo, vice president of Comcast Metro Boston Region. “As a result, certain price for cable services and equipment will change starting Dec. 1.

Neither Comcast, nor their exec, mentioned if these changes were being implemented outside the metro Boston region.

The most recent Comcast news in this specific market came when the cableco colossus announced its was rolling out new bandwidth tiers and higher speeds for current customers thanks to DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding technology.

The memo from the Comcast exec in the monthly bill did not say whether the increase in rates and other items were related to the DOCSIS 3.0 deployment.

The latest Comcast increases come at a challenging time for the cableco in greater Boston as rival Verizon has had the pedal to the metal in its FiOS TV deployment, especially in affluent suburbs. The telco is also pushing bundles that include DIRECTV in areas where it will not, or does not yet have, fiber to the home.

The timing on the increases is tough given the rough economic times that face consumers (as D’Arcaneglo cited), along with an expected cut in holiday spending. Many Comcast customers are unhappy that the firm charges extra for the valued NFL Network, a move made over a year ago that the league itself is against.

Specifically, standard cable climbs from $54.54 a month to $58.30 next month, while Digital Starter goes from $58.49 to $62.25 per month in December. Higher packages, Digital Classic and Digital Preferred, go from $10.95 and $12.95 a month respectively, to $13.95 each next month.

The installation of additional outlets, whether done at the time of installation, or later, both increase. And while the cost of a basic digital cable box drops two dollars a month, the cost for a high-definition box for economy video or digital start customers jumps $1 per month.

Also, HD and SD-DVR services jump $2 and $1 respectively. The biggest increase seems to be for a customer trouble call which goes from $24.95 now to $29.50 in February.

Worthy of note is Comcast’s elimination of Standard Cable from its menu. “However,” Comcast said, “if you currently subscribe to Standard Cable, you will continue to receive the service until further notice, unless you choose to make a change to your service or cable package.”

Interestingly, the company says in a brief question & answers segment on the bill that it spends about $6 billion per year on programming and said “we expect continued increases in costs we pay for programming, especially sports.”

That’s a tad ironic, given that, unlike telco rivals Verizon and AT&T Inc. (T), Comcast and other large cable firms actually own regional sports networks, and in many cases the venues in which teams play.

In further irony, Comcast’s decision to go against the National Football League and charge extra each month for a so-called premium sports package including the valued NFL Network, has started a battle pitting the cable giant against its customers and lawmakers that continues to this day.

It remains unclear how these latest changes will impact current and prospective customers. With the transition to digital TV coming in mid-February, customers on analog TV will have to decide whether to add a converter or sign up for a digital TV service.

As of December 1, Digital Classic is $13.95 added onto Basic Cable, Standard Cable, or Digital Starter.

In my neighborhood, Standard Cable is $57.54 and digital Starter is $61.49

That price differential is about right in SE NH. But you have to add $5-6 to get an HD-capable digi-box with Starter. I got the HD Box from the get-go, so I have no iddea what HD you receive if you get Digital Starter with the non-HD Box. Would it be the locals, as you would with Standard Cable and QAM and nio box at all?
Is it possible that you'd get no HD at all with the non-HD Box? Or would you have to split the input with one going straight into the TV so you could view the 7(?) local HDs; and the other going to the Box to get the digital offerings?

That price differential is about right in SE NH. But you have to add $5-6 to get an HD-capable digi-box with Starter. I got the HD Box from the get-go, so I have no iddea what HD you receive if you get Digital Starter with the non-HD Box. Would it be the locals, as you would with Standard Cable and QAM and nio box at all?
Is it possible that you'd get no HD at all with the non-HD Box? Or would you have to split the input with one going straight into the TV so you could view the 7(?) local HDs; and the other going to the Box to get the digital offerings?

With a non-HD box the latter would be correct, because the locals are the only ones they send in clear QAM while all the other HD channels would still be encrypted even though you subscribe to a Digital package. But why anyone would want to do this over maybe a couple Dollars more would be beyond me.

Just to STICK IT TO "THE MAN"! :cool:

Comacst is dying out. They are on the same road in the bus right behind Circuit City and Tweeter. Bye Bye.

I just turned in a box, so they just lost another $19.95 a month.

Circuit City
Net Income (Loss) = ($319.90M) (quarterly)

Tweeter
Net Income (Loss) = ($16.48M) (quarterly)

Comcast
Net Income = $2,587.00M (quarterly)

Yup, Comcast is "on the same road in the bus right behind Circuit City and Tweeter". :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Must be a really looooooooooong road....

Circuit City
Net Income (Loss) = ($319.90M) (quarterly)

Tweeter
Net Income (Loss) = ($16.48M) (quarterly)

Comcast
Net Income = $2,587.00M (quarterly)

Yup, Comcast is "on the same road in the bus right behind Circuit City and Tweeter". :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

The road might be the same, but they are moving in the opposite directions. :D

Indeed: Opposite directions. Comcast's Net Income has been rising (2005 to 2006 to 2007).

Indeed: Opposite directions. Comcast's Net Income has been rising (2005 to 2006 to 2007).

... and with the continuing price hikes, I suspect it will continue to rise - a27rwc's $20/month notwithstanding, of course.

Yup, any day now Comcast will be nothing but a memory. They'll just be turning people's phones, internet & TV off when they go out of business. :rolleyes: Better get ready to break out the antennas and cell phones.

Now you're just being silly, jonwww.... No doubt all those customers will have long moved over to Verizon - who will of course resist the temptation to raise rates, being the Good Guys that they are. :rolleyes: